Hard disks and optical disks are both used for data storage. Hard disks use spinning magnetic platters and read/write heads to store data non-volatilely even without power. Optical disks like CDs, DVDs, and Blu-Rays use lasers and reflective layers to store data in the form of pits and lands on polycarbonate disks. Optical disks allow for higher density storage than early hard disks and are portable, but have slower access speeds and more complex drive mechanisms.