What Are Some of the Advantages and Disadvantages of Magnetic Tape?

Jeffrey Coolidge/Digital Vision/Getty Images

Magnetic tape has both advantages and disadvantages depending on the needs of users. A major advantage is that it has the capacity to store large amounts of data very easily. A major disadvantage is that accessing specific data on stored tape is a slow process.

Magnetic tape is commonly used to record and store computer and video data. Before the CD and DVD came along, magnetic tape was widely used by consumers. Today, magnetic tape is mainly used by large companies and organizations that require massive data storage.

Advantages

A single magnetic tape cartridge can store large amounts of data up to 1 Terabyte. Large cartridges are used by big companies and institutions that require continuous recording and backup of data.

Data collection can go on without interruption overnight or for an entire weekend.

Magnetic tape can be recorded over and reused repeatedly.

Large amounts of information is stored.

Magnetic tape is inexpensive and budget friendly.

Disadvantages

Special equipment must be purchased and set up for recording and storing data. The data can only be read on the special equipment.

If the data is stored near a strong magnetic field or a large speaker, the tape can be damaged.

Magnetic tape has a lifespan of 15 years. Data quality gradually erodes over time.

It is necessary to keep older tape equipment just to be able to read the stored data.