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An HDD, or hard disk drive, is a primary data storage device in a computer that uses one or more spinning magnetic platters to store data. It is a non-volatile, mechanical storage system with components like a spindle motor to spin the platters and an actuator arm with a read/write head to access the data, making it a cost-effective, high-capacity storage solution. Key characteristics Mechanical and non-volatile: HDDs have moving parts, like spinning platters and an actuator arm, that read and write data. The data remains stored even when the power is turned off. High capacity: They are known for storing large amounts of data, with modern drives reaching terabytes in size. Cost-effective: HDDs are generally cheaper per gigabyte than other storage options like solid-state drives (SSDs). Slower than SSDs: Due to their mechanical nature, HDDs have slower access times and lower latency compared to SSDs, making them better for long-term storage than frequent data access. Sealed casing: The delicate platters and heads are enclosed in a sealed metal casing to protect them from dust and other contaminants.