Read-only memory (ROM) is used as a storage medium in computers. Because it cannot (easily) be written to, its main uses lie in the distribution of firmware (software that is very closely related to hardware, and not likely to need frequent upgrading).

Modern semiconductor ROMs typically take the shape of IC packages, i.e. "computer chips", not immediately distinguishable from other chips like RAMs but for the text printed on the chips. "ROM" in its strictest sense can only be read from, but all ROMs allow data to be written into them at least once, either during initial manufacturing or during a step called "programming". Some ROMs can be re-programmed in the field. Contrary to popular belief, the ability to write to a medium is not called RAM, which is a way of accessing memory (random access), which is used for every chip, including ROM.

	Acer Memory	Apple Memory	Cisco Memory	Compaq Memory	Dell Memory	Fujitsu Memory	Gateway Memory
	HP Memory	IBM Memory	Intel Memory	Sharp Memory	Sony Memory	Sun Memory	Toshiba Memory