Which type of storage device has no moving parts?

A Solid State Drive (SSD) is a type of storage device that has no moving parts, which distinguishes it from other storage options. SSDs use flash memory to store data electronically, allowing for faster read and write speeds compared to traditional storage devices. The absence of mechanical components means SSDs are less prone to physical damage, which enhances their durability and reliability. This feature also contributes to quieter operation and reduced power consumption, making SSDs an increasingly popular choice for both personal and professional computing environments.

In contrast, external hard drives, magnetic disks, and optical drives all rely on moving parts. External hard drives operate similarly to traditional hard disk drives (HDDs), which have spinning platters and movable read/write heads. Magnetic disks use physical platters coated with magnetic material to read and write data, while optical drives use lasers to read data from CDs, DVDs, or Blu-ray discs, involving mechanical moving parts for disk rotation. Thus, the unique characteristics of SSDs make them stand out due to their solid-state structure with no mechanical moving components.