What technology primarily differentiates SSDs from traditional HDDs?

The primary differentiator between SSDs (Solid State Drives) and traditional HDDs (Hard Disk Drives) lies in the use of solid-state memory. SSDs utilize flash memory, which allows them to store data on interconnected memory chips. This technology enables SSDs to offer significantly faster read and write speeds compared to HDDs, which rely on spinning disks and mechanical read/write heads to access data.

The absence of mechanical parts in SSDs also contributes to their reliability and durability, as there are fewer points of failure. Moreover, while lower power consumption and magnetic disks are relevant concepts, they do not encapsulate the core technological difference between these two storage types as effectively as solid-state memory does. This distinction in memory technology is what fundamentally drives the performance advantages of SSDs over traditional HDDs.