In the 1980s and 1990s, small tape drives were used for desktop computer backup but were eclipsed by Zip disks and other magnetic media. After the turn of the century, optical media (CD-R ...

The most common types are CD, DVD and Blu-ray. As removable media, optical discs superseded the earlier magnetic disk cartridges because they weigh less, have higher capacities and are not subject ...

Use less battery power - devices they are in stay charged for longer. Be more robust - a magnetic disk could be ruined by dropping it, because its moving parts may be damaged.