A data storage system is described with a persistent status display. In one example, the system has an external housing, a persistent display attached to the exterior of the housing, a display controller within the housing coupled to the display to write status data to the display, a memory array to store data within the housing, a memory controller within the housing to control the operation of the memory array and to determine a status of the memory array, the memory controller being coupled to the display controller to send status data to the display controller to write to the display, and an exterior connector coupled to the memory controller to send data from the memory to an external device.