Memory Card

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What Does Memory Card Mean?

A memory card is a type of storage device that is used for storing media and data files. It provides a permanent and non-volatile medium to store data and files from the attached device. Memory cards are commonly used in small, portable devices, such as cameras and phones.

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A memory card is also known as a flash card.

Techopedia Explains Memory Card

A memory card is mainly used as a primary and portable flash memory in mobile phones, cameras and other portable and handheld devices. PC Cards (PCMCIA) were a predecessor of modern memory cards that were introduced for commercial purposes. Besides providing non-volatile media storage, a memory card also uses solid state media technology, which lowers the chances of mechanical problems, such as those found in traditional hard drives.

Some of the most popular forms of memory cards are:

  • Secure Digital (SD) card
  • CompactFlash (CF) card
  • SmartMedia
  • Memory Stick
  • MultiMediaCard (MMC)
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Margaret Rouse
Technology Expert
Margaret Rouse
Technology Expert

Margaret is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical business audience. Over the past twenty years, her IT definitions have been published by Que in an encyclopedia of technology terms and cited in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine, and Discovery Magazine. She joined Techopedia in 2011. Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages.