Abstract: In this paper, the recent developments and trends in digital magnetic peripheral storage devices, such as hard disk devices, flexible disk drives, tape transports, and automated tape libraries, are discussed. It is seen that the widely used magnetic peripherals will still continue to develop rapidly in the near future, and yet the development is far from the limit. The magnetic peripherals perhaps would be exposed to the challenge from optical disks, but they will still play an important role in the computer area, and would not be replaced.