A Solid-State Drive (SSD) is a storage device that uses NAND-based flash memory to store data, similar to a USB flash drive. Unlike traditional hard disk drives (HDDs), SSDs have no moving parts, which makes them faster, more reliable, and generally more durable. SSDs utilize a controller chip, which helps manage data flow and access into and out of the memory cells. The controller also helps with data management, which prolongs the lifespan of the SSD. Because of its high read and write speeds, SSDs are often used as a boot drive for a computer’s operating system, or as a cache drive to speed up load times for frequently-used applications. SSDs can be found in various form factors, from the tiny M.2 drives to larger 2.5-inch drives for desktops and laptops.