#14 Jun 2024 Q5(b)(i) 4 marks 1.2.2 solid state vs magnetic — justification

Question

Lead-in: A musician uses a computer to make and record music. Their secondary storage device is full and needs replacing.

(b)(i) Identify whether the musician should buy a magnetic secondary storage device or a solid state secondary storage device for their computer. Justify your choice.

Type ......................................................................
Justification ........................................................

[4]

Why this question is tricky

A misconception is that solid state devices have more longevity than magnetic, that they have an unlimited life span and will outlast magnetic.— J277_01_ER_Jun2024.txt lines 298-300

MS complexity 7/10: "No type identified → 0 marks" (structural). "MP1 needs to be cost per unit not just 'cheap to buy'" (strict). Reverse arguments for magnetic accepted if type is named.

Full-marks model answer

Type: Solid state. (No marks for the choice itself, but if no type is identified the answer scores 0.)

Justification:

  1. Cost per unit of data is now close to magnetic per GB — the musician can buy enough storage capacity for large sound files without spending much more than magnetic.
  2. Durable / robust — no moving parts, so the computer can be moved between rooms or to gigs without risk of losing data.
  3. Fast speed of access — no significant delays in storing or reading files; the musician does not have to wait for sound files to load or save.
  4. High capacity — modern SSDs offer similar or higher capacity than magnetic drives, which is necessary because audio recordings produce very large files.
Mark allocation (4 marks — any four justification points)
  • If no type is identified anywhere → 0 marks total.
  • MP1 (cost): MS verbatim — "MP1 needs to be cost per unit e.g. it costs less per GB". Not just "cheap to buy".
  • MP2 (durability): "Durable / robust / no moving parts... so computer can be moved without risk of losing data".
  • MP3 (speed): "Fast speed of access of data... no significant delays".
  • MP4 (capacity): "(nearly the) same/higher capacity than magnetic... file size of sound can be large".
  • Alternative MPs: small physical size + portable; less power + lower running cost; no fragmentation; produces less sound when running.

Watch out for...

Do not claim SSDs last forever or outlast magnetic — they have a limited number of write cycles. For cost, you must say "cost per unit" (cost per GB) — the word "cheap" on its own scores nothing. Always state the chosen type first; if no type appears, the whole answer is 0.