Question
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of replacing the HDD in a school laptop with an SSD. [8]
Mark scheme (levels-marked, indicative content):
- Advantages of SSD: faster read/write speeds → quicker boot and application loading; no moving parts → silent and more shock-resistant (suits portable use in school bags); lower power consumption → longer battery life; produces less heat.
- Disadvantages: higher cost per GB → smaller capacity for the same budget; SSDs have a finite number of write/erase cycles (wear) — though typically beyond a school laptop's life; data recovery from a failed SSD can be harder than from an HDD.
- Comparison/justification expected at top band: for a school laptop, SSD's durability, speed and battery benefits outweigh higher cost, since pupils don't need TB-scale local storage (cloud storage available).
- Level 3 (6–8): clear, well-developed comparison with reasoned conclusion.
- Level 2 (3–5): some advantages and disadvantages stated, limited comparison.
- Level 1 (1–2): basic points, mostly one-sided.
8 marks · take your time before peeking.
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Generated by TopMyGrade AI · cross-check official sources before relying on the mark-scheme phrasing.