Technology is rapidly changing. Data size is growing enormously. Traditional CDs are replaced by DVDs and Blu-rays. But in terms of data storage, optical discs are slowly becoming obsolete. Optical discs have a maximum storage capacity of up to 50GB (Blu-ray). But today we have data of more than 50GB even in our smartphones. So how to maintain all the storage without using optical drives? Here is the list of best alternatives to the Optical Drives.
USB Drive or Pen Drive
The pace of technological evolution is swift, and in this dynamic landscape, Flash-based drives emerge as superior alternatives to optical discs, excelling in terms of both longevity and portability. Notably, pen drives outshine even Blu-Ray 50GB disks in storage capacity. These compact, affordable devices have become the go-to substitutes for optical drives. With a minimum storage size of 4GB, pen drives effortlessly supplant optical disks, offering enhanced convenience and efficiency.
- Capacity: Up to 128GB,256GB available.
- Lifetime: 2 to 20 years
External Hard Drive (HDD)
External hard drives, despite not being the most economical option compared to optical discs, present a more expensive but significantly greater storage capacity than flash storage devices. Available in diverse sizes and form factors, both internal and external hard disks have become reasonably priced, making them affordable for a wide range of users.
- Capacity: up to 4TB Max in NAS 12TB
- Lifetime: approx. 2 to 5 years.
Cloud Storage
Storing your data in the cloud is one of the easiest ways to store, backup, and share your data. However, storage is limited for free membership. You can get more storage by following referral programs offered by cloud storage service providers. Many companies like Google, Dropbox, Box are offering free storage to enterprise solutions. The prices start from $3, the maximum plan is based on your requirements for storage size.
- Capacity: Min. 2GB to Unlimited.
- Lifetime: Unlimited