Types of Computer Memory Cards
We are all living in an age of computers, laptops, digital cameras, cell phones, etc., that help us store vast number of files. These files include data files, music files, music videos, movies and any and everything under the sun. To save such a vast amount of information, the in-built computer memory types are not enough. Also, one needs to store memory in such a device that can be used to transfer information from one machine to other. Since the 1990s, memory cards have been introduced that help in storing digital data as well as media. These different types of computer memory cards come in different shapes, sizes, speed as well as features. The following paragraphs will serve as a guide to memory card types, for those who are yet coming to terms with the latest in technology.
Different Types of Memory Cards
Since the last 10 years or so, there have been many different types of memory cards introduced in the market. These memory cards are small storage devices that are easily portable. These are solid state cards, that is, no movable parts, perfect to be used in different devices, like digital cameras, music players, cell phones, etc.
Compact Flash Memory Cards
Compact Flash or CF memory cards were created by SanDisk way back in 1994. These computer memory types has a memory controller and a flash memory chip. This chip was contained in a miniature casing that is 42.8 mm wide and 36.4 mm high. This makes it smaller than a matchbox. According to the dimensions, there are two types of compact flash cards available that includes:
- Type I Compact Flash cards - 42.8mm x 36.4mm x 3.3 mm
- Type II Compact Flash cards - 42.8mm x 36.4mm x 5.5 mm
The memory stick. also known as MS or MS cards are one of the types of computer memory cards that were created by Sony and SanDisk in partnership in January 2000. These memory cards are based on NAND flash memory circuits and are really very small in size. They are just about 21.5 mm x 50.0 mm x 2.8 mm and weigh just 4 grams. One can get access to data by connecting the memory stick card with an edge connector of 10 pins. There are two types of memory stick cards available:
- 'Normal' Memory Stick
- 'Magic Gate' (for protection of copyrighted documents)
Multimedia card (MMC) are types of memory cards that were created by SanDisk and Siemens together in 1997. These memory cards were based on a combination of read only memory (ROM). It is therefore used for applications and flash memory for read/write. These cards are very small and come in size of about 24.0 mm x 32.0 mm x 1.4 mm and weigh about 2.2 grams. One can get access to data by connecting the card with 7 pins. There are two types of multimedia cards based on the different voltages:
- Multimedia cards 3.3 V that has a notch on the upper left hand corner
- Multimedia cards 5 V that has a notch on the upper right hand corner
The secure digital or SD cards are computer memory cards created by Matsushita Electronic, SanDisk and Toshiba in January 2000 together. This card is designed keeping in mind the latest electronic audio and video devices. It is based on the NAND type flash memory circuits. It is just 24.0mm x 32.0mm x 2.1mm in size and weighs 2 grams. The SD cards come in three formats:
- Standard SD cards
- MiniSD card - This is a 21.5 mm x 20 mm x 1.4 mm card for digital cameras, mobile phones
- MicroSD cards - This is a 15 mm x 11 mm x 0.7 mm card for mobile phones and smaller devices. This is the smallest type of memory card available.
Toshiba and Samsung have created the SmartMedia memory cards together. It is based on the NAND type flash memory circuit. It is 45.0 mm x 37.0 mm x 0.76 mm in size and weighs 2 grams. It has become obsolete today and is found in older devices that needed memory cards larger than 128 MB.
xD Picture Card
The xD picture card or eXtreme digital are types of memory cards that were made by Fuji and Olympus in August 2002. It is based on NAND type flash memory circuits. This memory card is just 20.0 mm x 25.0 mm x 1.7 mm in size and weighs only 2 grams. They are used mainly for digital cameras and are being replaced by SD cards.
These were some of the different types of memory cards in use today. There are other memory cards that have become obsolete now like; Smart Cards, MiniCard and NexFlash. Hope this guide to memory card types has proven to be a helpful read.
