Most PCs use exclusively SSDs for just about every kind of storage these days. But what about hard drives? What is an SSD, really?

DDR RAM: A type of quick-access memory used in most computers. It is volatile, meaning it erases itself when power is lost (unlike the SSD, which retains the data).

Not sure what kind of storage to pick? We've got you covered with this SSD vs HDD vs hybrid drive comparison that looks at the pros and cons of each.

However, if storage capacity and budget are your main concerns, an HDD might still be the better option. Hard drives are increasingly rare in new laptops, though, so your only option might be an SSD.

CNET editor Dong Ngo offers his opinion on solid-state drives and storage in general.

While you can’t have an SSD without these two components, some drives also have another optional component -- DDR cache memory. This essentially helps further boost the write speed of the SSD.

Memory chip giant Kioxia is aiming to scale this all the way up to 1,000 layers by 2027, paving the way for 20 TB SSDs that could sell for as little as $250.