Memory

Storage

Smaller amount
(typically 128 MB - 1 GB)

Much larger amount
(typically 1GB to 400 GB)

Temporary storage of files and programs

Permanent storage of files and programs

A little like your real desktop - has only your current work on it (which could be ruined by a spill of Coke or coffee!)

Like a file cabinet - has long-term storage of work (it's safe from spills!)

Contents disappear when you turn off power to the computer

Contents remain when you turn off the power to the computer (they don't disappear unless you purposely delete them)

Contents disappear when the computer crashes

Contents remain when the computer crashes

Consists of chips (microprocessors)

Consists of hard disks(platters)

Contents are stored electronically in bits on the chip, in electronicoffs and ons (0's and 1's), so RAM needs electrical power to hold the contents

Contents are stored magnetically, also in bits which are off or on (0 or 1), so the Hard Disk does not need power to hold the contents

When you want to use a program, a temporary copy is put into RAM and that's the copy you use

Holds the original copy of the program permanently

The file you are modifying, plus all the changes you make, are kept here in RAM until you do a "save"

When working on a file, the original file is left untouched here in the Hard Drive until you do a "save;" the "save" copies the new version of the file that's in RAM onto the Hard Disk (and usually replaces the original file)