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A Misnomer

SID S-1-1 24th Sep 2009

The term "solid-state" is actually slightly off, if the intent is to distinguish a unit with no moving parts from one with moving parts. The term "solid-state", although it can be used informally to mean "no-moving-parts", actually refers to lack of vacuum or gas-based tubes, thereby implying the use of semiconductors in their stead. By classical definitions, current hard drives, moving parts and all, are already solid-state devices.
(By the flawed definition of "no moving parts", even a vacuum tube would qualify.)

In addition, the term "drive", in the sense originally used for a mechanism that spins platters, doesn't quite fit a device with no moving parts either.

Perhaps a better term could be found for high-capacity nonmechanical non-volatile memory devices.