What potentially holds the most data: a CD, DVD or memory stick?

[franch]

I find memory sticks handy but am not sure whether to use one for backing up my files - no idea how much data I have yet - anyone know how big they go, compared with disks?

I know nothing about these things so go easy on me

No idea - memory sticks are so easy to lose though - bump for you anyway

I've got a 4GB memory stick but it still doesn't hold enough (have tons of photos and music cluttering up my laptop).

I think a CD is about 80MB? But they're cheap so you could just use loads if you have lots of files rather than a few big ones.

Ive also had a look at external hard-drives. Amazon sell some that are about the size of an ipod and hold about 150GB, for around £50.

I've only got a laptop so am seriously considering the external drive, though I should just be more organised and make up lots of CDs really.

Will watch this thread with interest.

thanks northern

Sorry, 700MB on a CD.

A DVD is normally 4.7 GB, a CD about 800MB (so a DVD holds a lot more than a CD).

You can get memory sticks in a range of sizes. A memory stick that is more than 4.7 GB will hold more than a DVD, while a memory stick that is more than 4.7 GB will hold less... (most of them are still less than 4.7 GB these days).

Thing is, bookthief, I'm more worried about theft than viruses etc (possibly wrongly, but have a Mac and they seem to be less vulnerable) - wouldn't an external HD tend to hang around close to the computer (ours is a desktop)?

I take your point about CDs and cost - possibly best option

Ah, thanks Port. Hmm.

I'm looking at something like this - not sure what I'd actually do with 120GB though!

It just has a USB connection I think so could be easily locked away when not needed if that was important?

Hopefully someone who actually uses these sort of things will be along to advise you.

You could also think about online storage

Thanks bookthief

And thanks partridge - yes, used online before with our old PC and am planning to use the .Mac/iDisk facility but they seem to recommend physical storage as well - I'm not sure how much iDisk capacity you can get

don't forget a dual layer DVD will hold 8.5GB...