Hard Drive vs. Card?

Totally new to the world of MPC's and looking to get either a 1000 or a 500, but I have a very newbie question (only used computer based programs for years)

As I understand it: expanding the RAM will enable you to work with more samples in real-time (playing with and manipulating samples), so that is worth it. But in addition to the RAM in the MPC there is a hard drive as well as a card reader... do these things store different things or are they basically the same?

Basically what I'm asking is: is there any reason to spend the money to upgrade and have a 80mb or 120 mb hard drive installed in the MPC if I can just save the exact same stuff to a 1 or 2gb card via the card reader? I mean sure, the hard drive will be permanent, but other than that, do they both just do the same thing?

OK, I'll take this one.

Yep, you got it right - the two do the same.

But a hard drive is more stable, can store more data (obviously) and will most likely last you longer. The pins for the card tend to break if you're not careful. And the flash memory fades over time, making it less reliable for long term storage.

And by the gig, hard disk storage is cheaper.

On the plus side for cards, they have faster load times.

Oh, and you can't use a hard drive with the 500.

Whatever you choose, always back up your data.

Thanks Muied!