Some of the older storage devices include CDs, DVD-RW discs, floppy disks, zip drives, mini-CDs, and mini-DVDs. While these are still viable options, memory cards are quickly taking the lead for consumer preference. Take the floppy disk as a great example of why the memory stick is a better choice. The floppy disk does not provide nearly the same storage capacity. While these disks are extremely affordable and do have a place in the marketplace, with larger files being stored, they do not work as well. Next is the zip drive, which was a great concept but cumbersome. In this case, the drive is an external device plugged into the electronic component.  Unfortunately, zip drives were notorious for failure and had a high price tag.

Then, the CD-rom and CD-WW were created, offering an easy and swappable media for storage. The downside of CD-roms is that they are designed so that a file can only be saved once. That means a changed file would have to be saved with a new name rather than replacing the original file. With CD-RWs, you can write and erase upwards of 1,000 times but the process of saving files is slower and the risk of a damaged disc via scratch or dirt is greatly increased. With some of the newer memory cards such as the micro m2 or micro-sd, you end up with speed, large capacity, convenience, and a much sturdier way to save video, audio, and data files. Best of all, these memory cards are very affordable, some being priced below $30.