The 1970s saw major breakthroughs in computer storage, with the shift from bulky magnetic core memory to **semiconductor memory**, such as **Dynamic Random-Access Memory (DRAM)**. Introduced by Intel in 1970, DRAM used integrated circuits instead of magnetic rings, making it smaller, faster, and more energy-efficient. This advancement significantly improved computing performance and paved the way for modern RAM. At the same time, **hard disk drives (HDDs)** became more affordable and widely adopted, with IBM and other companies developing more compact and higher-capacity disk storage solutions. By the end of the decade, HDDs could store several megabytes of data, making them a standard storage solution for businesses and large institutions.

Magnetic tape remained essential for **backup and archival storage**, especially in large-scale data processing environments. While still slower than hard disks, it provided a cost-effective way to store massive amounts of data. Meanwhile, **floppy disks** emerged as a revolutionary new form of portable storage. IBM introduced the **8-inch floppy disk** in 1971, followed by **5.25-inch floppy disks** later in the decade, which were widely used for personal computers. Floppy disks allowed users to easily transfer data between machines, marking a shift toward more user-friendly computing.

By the end of the 1970s, storage technology had become **smaller, cheaper, and more accessible**, setting the stage for the personal computing revolution of the 1980s. The introduction of semiconductor memory and floppy disks made computers more practical for businesses and, eventually, home users. These innovations laid the foundation for the rapid growth of digital storage, leading to the flash memory and solid-state drives (SSDs) that would emerge in later decades.