Magnetic tape 

Magnetic tapes are used for large computers like mainframes computers. where large volume of data is stored for a longer time. In PCs also you can use tapes in the form of cassettes. the cost of storing data in the tapes is inexpensive. tapes consist of magnetic materials that store data permanently. It can be 12.5mm to 25mm wide plastic film-type and 500 meter to 1200 meter long.

Advantages of magnetic tapes 

1. Compact : A 10-inch diameter reel of tape is 2400 feet long and is able to hold 800, 1600 or 6250 characters in each inch of its length. the maximum capacity of such tape is 180 million characters. Thus data are stored much more compact on tape 

2. Economical : The cost of storing characters on tape is very less as compared to other storage devices.

3. Fast : Copying of data is easier and fast 

4. Long term storage : Magnetic tapes can be use for long term storage and a tape can be used repeadetily with out loss of data