电脑数据存贮器通常又称作保存器或内存.

在今日,内存通常指的是半导体保存器随机访问内存,特别是动态随机访问内存 (Dynamic-RAM).内存是速度快但只能暂时保存数据的设备.保存器是保存设备但他们跟中央处理器没有直接的链接,(第二级保存设备或第三级保存设备)—例如硬盘,光盘,或是其他设备，传输速度比RAM慢. 历史上,内存被称为主内存,内部内存，保存设备被认为是第二级保存设备,外部内存.然而在中国内地的智能电话中，通常用“内存”指代第二级储存装置，RAM被称作“运存”。

有许多不同的保存设备已被发明。到目前为止，任何一种保存设备都有其缺点，因此一台电脑通常都有好几种不同种类的保存设备，每一种都有其特别的功能。

Computer data storage, often called storage or memory, is a technology consisting of computer components and recording media used to retain digital data. It is a core function and fundamental component of computers.

The central processing unit (CPU) of a computer is what manipulates data by performing computations. In practice, almost all computers use a storage hierarchy, which puts fast but expensive and small storage options close to the CPU and slower but larger and cheaper options farther away. Generally the fast volatile technologies (which lose data when off power) are referred to as "memory", while slower persistent technologies are referred to as "storage"; however, "memory" is sometimes also used when referring to persistent storage.