What Is eMMC Storage and Memory? GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Computers, Laptops & Tablets > Accessories & Hardware 332 332 people found this article helpful
What Is eMMC Storage and Memory?
This affordable computer storage option is used on many laptops and tablets
By Anita George Anita George Writer University of Georgia Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication Anita George is a writer who has been covering technology since 2013. Her work has appeared in Paste Magazine and she holds both B.A. and B.S. degrees. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on December 2, 2020 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email In This Article
Expand Jump to a Section What Is eMMC Storage How eMMC Storage Works How Fast Is eMMC Storage Who Is eMMC Storage For eMMC vs SSD Storage If you plan to buy a compact, budget-friendly laptop, the internal storage offered is likely to be eMMC storage. Before you buy a laptop with eMMC storage, consider if eMMC storage has the features you need and if you can accept its limitations. The type you choose determines the overall performance and speed of your computer. What Is eMMC Storage
eMMC stands for embedded MultiMediaCard. It's a type of internal storage embedded or attached to a device or a PC motherboard. eMMC storage uses the MultiMediaCard standard and is based on NAND flash memory. The NAND flash memory used in eMMC storage isn't unique to eMMC and is found in other types of storage like Secure Digital (SD) cards, solid-state drives (SSD), and USB drives. eMMC storage is usually found in budget-friendly laptops, as well as tablets, Chromebooks, tablet PCs, 2-in-1 computers, and smartphones. How eMMC Storage Works
According to SearchStorage, eMMC chips act as the main storage for smaller devices and compact PCs. These chips are comprised of a controller and NAND flash memory, both of which are within a single integrated circuit. This circuit connects to a device's main circuit board. From there, the eMMC chip's controller handles the task of putting data in storage. With that task handled, the device's CPU can focus on other tasks, rather than allocate its limited power and speed on storage concerns. The use of NAND flash memory in an eMMC chip also uses little to no power to hold onto data. Many devices, including PCs, offer a variety of eMMC storage sizes, which can vary from about 32 GB to 256 GB. Mid-range sizes include 64 GB and 128 GB. How Fast Is eMMC Storage
According to Windows Central, eMMC storage, at its current standard, is capable of reaching transfer speeds of up to 400 MB/s. This isn't a particularly slow speed for mobile devices or compact laptops. Still, it is considered slower than other storage options offered for larger, more expensive laptops. Advantages Devices with eMMC storage tend to be cheaper and portable. Disadvantages The transfer rate that eMMC storage-based devices offer is slow compared to other storage options. Available storage sizes for eMMC are too small if you want to do more than surf the web and watch movies. Who Is eMMC Storage For
eMMC storage is best in these situations: If you want a cheap, portable PC or mobile device.When your computing needs don't exceed web browsing and streaming media.You can afford a cloud storage subscription or another external storage option. If your needs include other computing tasks like gaming, editing video, or similar activities, it's best to look at other, larger storage options like solid-state drives. eMMC vs SSD Storage
eMMC is generally a less expensive storage option than SSD (solid state drive). While both require very little power, SSD can typically handle a much larger capacity and is better for demanding computing tasks. eMMC, on the other hand, is preferred by people on a tight budget. It's typically used in cheaper devices, such as Chromebooks or mobile devices. eMMC vs. SSD Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire eMMC vs. SSD What Is a Hard Disk Drive? 8 Things to Consider Before Buying a Desktop PC The 9 Best Laptops for College Students of 2022 8 Things to Consider When Buying a Tablet What Is a Steam Deck? How to Choose an External Hard Drive Can You Expand iPhone Memory? How Much Storage (in GB) Do I Need In My Phone? The 7 Best Chromebooks, Tested by Lifewire The 8 Best Laptops at Walmart in 2022 The 7 Best SSDs for MacBook Pro in 2022 Chromebooks vs. Tablets on a Budget How to Increase Storage on a Laptop The 10 Best Hard Drives for Gaming in 2022 HDD vs SSD Storage Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies