How is the storage capacity of portable media devices measured?

The storage capacity of portable media devices is typically measured in gigabytes. Gigabytes represent a convenient size for files that individuals commonly store, such as photos, music, documents, and videos. Most portable media devices, like USB flash drives, external hard drives, and memory cards, have capacities ranging from a few gigabytes to several terabytes, but gigabytes are the most common unit used for personal and day-to-day use.

Megabytes would be too small for the average user's needs today, as most files exceed that size, especially media files. Terabytes are more relevant for larger storage solutions, such as desktop hard drives or enterprise-level data storage, not typically for portable devices. Petabytes refer to an even larger scale of data, usually associated with data centers or extensive storage systems, making it an uncommon measurement for everyday portable media. Thus, gigabytes serve as the standard measurement that balances usability with ample storage capacity for most users.