The Zip drive is a storage system for computers that serves as a good alternative to USB flash devices and CD and floppy drives. It can either be installed in your CPU or you can opt for the portable Zip drives so you can take your files anywhere with you for more convenience. The portable ones still function like the ones you can install in your CPU since they rewrite and read Zip disks, but this time, they can be removed and reconnected easily.
Replacements for the floppy disk
Portable zip drives were originally designed to serve as a more convenient and better way to store more files than the 3.5-inch floppy disk. They are connected to the computer using a peripheral port and their storage capacities range from 100MB to 750MB. However, due to their expensiveness and bulkiness, only a few people are able to find them useful and really convenient as a replacement to the floppy disk.
USB versus parallel ports
When portable zip drives were initially introduced in the market, they were able to connect to computers through the parallel port. However, they were not compatible with other computers that did not have those parallel ports. Furthermore, these ports have lower data rates compared to USB's. On the other hand is the USB portable zip drive that you can conveniently plug to the USB port of your computer and it allows for faster transfer of files.
Zip drives are useful, too
In today's world where USB flash drives and DVD ROM's are more preferred, you can still opt to buy a portable zip drive for your computer or laptop. After all, you can never have too many storage devices and they make good back-up devices, too. Just make sure that it consists of a plug-and-play USB system that won't require you to install any software and that it has a format time of 10 to 15 seconds.
Important information
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