An actuator is an electronic device controlled by a motor that moves the hard drive head arm. In the past, the actuator within a hard drive was controlled by a stepper motor. However, today the actuator is often controlled by a servo motor. Below is a graphic example of the inside of a hard drive including the head actuator.
Click of death, Hard drive terms, Read/Write heads
An SSD has no moving parts or motor.
Related information
- Hard drive help and support.