FC0-U71 Tech Concepts and Terminology Practice Question
An IT professional is explaining to a client the difference between an HDD and an SSD. Which statement best describes a key advantage of an SSD over an HDD?
⚠ Common exam trap
FC0-U71 often tests the misconception that SSDs are volatile or use optical/laser technology, catching candidates who confuse SSD characteristics with RAM or optical drives.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
SSDs are more resilient to physical shock because they have no moving parts.
SSDs store data in NAND flash memory with no moving mechanical parts, so they tolerate drops, vibration, and shock far better than HDDs, whose spinning platters and moving read/write heads are vulnerable to physical damage. This durability advantage is a direct consequence of the solid-state design and is a key differentiator in mobile and ruggedized environments.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
SSDs require a constant power supply to retain data.
Why it's wrong here
Flash memory retains data without power, so this describes volatile DRAM, not SSDs. The statement would be true of system memory, where contents are lost on shutdown, making it irrelevant to the SSD-versus-HDD comparison the client asked about.
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SSDs provide larger storage capacities at a lower cost per gigabyte.
Why it's wrong here
HDDs still lead on cost per gigabyte at high capacities, so this states an HDD advantage, not an SSD one. The statement would be accurate when specifying bulk archival storage where capacity per pound matters more than access latency.
- ✓
SSDs are more resilient to physical shock because they have no moving parts.
Why this is correct
SSDs store data in flash memory with no spinning platters or actuator arms, so there is nothing mechanical to damage during drops or vibration. This directly satisfies the stem's requirement to describe a key advantage over HDDs.
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SSDs use laser technology to read and write data.
Why it's wrong here
SSDs store data in NAND flash cells addressed electrically; lasers read optical media such as CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs. The statement would describe optical drives, not solid-state storage, and so names no SSD advantage over an HDD.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
This FC0-U71 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the FC0-U71 exam.