“New chips that blur the line between computer memory and storage are starting to move beyond niche applications and could change how we use PCs, an industry analyst said Sunday,” Martyn Williams reports for IDG News Service.
“The chips would enable the same instant-on capability that’s common on tablets, but at much higher performance, said Tom Coughlin, founder of Coughlin Associates,” Williams reports. “‘We’re seeing the development of new solid-state storage technologies that are starting to play a role,’ he said. ‘MRAM is one that we’re seeing playing a role providing a non-volatile memory technology, and there’s some talk about resistive RAM doing some things.'”
“Conventional memory chips — called DRAM — store ones and zeros using an electrical charge in each memory cell, but Magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM) uses a magnetic charge,” Williams reports. “Resistive RAM (RRAM) is based on a sandwich made from two materials, with the center layer having a different resistance to the material that makes up the outer layers.”
Read more in the full article here.
I prefer DodgeRAM.
Unfortunately made in the USA.
Hey hey, I drive a Jeep Wrangler that was made in Ohio. I love it. My 2012 compared to my previous 2001 model is light years ahead in quality, features and performance. I couldn’t be happier with it. The only thing, I hate the damn UConnect used for tethering my iPhone through the stereo. I hope that gets addressed by the time my lease runs out in 2015. I like getting a brand spanking new vehicle every three years, just like I get a new iPhone every two years.
About that UConnect feature on your Jeep Wrangler:
What exactly don’t you like about it? I have the new 2014 Jeep Cherokee (fantastic vehicle and also proudly made in Ohio) and its iPhone/iPod integration via UConnect is seamless. Just curious.
The video discusses a real issue for Microsoft. If the new RAM doesn’t reset when the PC gets powered down then it powers up with the same issue. The response was that they may need to write better software or an active repair program always fixing and looking for “The Blue Screen of Death”. I do not see this as a problem. They need a live approved virus running in their Windows PC all the time. Windows knows how to run viruses already.
So, what are they doing with the Slate Windows OS in Microsoft’s tablet now? Do they just return it to the store for another until it freezes up too?
Until we get perfect memory management software, there’s going to have to be a RESET button, either physically or in software.
I am of course ignoring plain old bad programming.
Anobit, anyone? Anyone?
Some more from the article and my comments:
Flash memory, commonly found in tablet PCs, already offers persistent storage after the power is removed, but the new chips would out perform flash, according to their developers.
Excellent! Toss Flash aside and move on to better tech!
Crossbar says its RRAM will eventually deliver 20 times faster write performance, 20 times less power consumption and 10 times more durability than NAND flash memory.
*DING*DING*DING*
Bringing persistent memory to PCs might introduce at least one problem.
“A lot of people, in order to recover from system crashes and problems, will restart their computers. Well, it’s usually something bugged up in the memory, so if my memory stays even when I turn it off, then I have to find new ways of doing that,” said Coughlin.
As a result, computer makers might be forced to make more reliable systems, he said.
Specifically, what’s required is FAR superior memory management in our programming languages. Crap memory management continues to be the #1 cause of software hacking / security holes. The C series of languages and Java all suck bad at memory management UNLESS the programmer is ingenious enough to work around the inherent problems. Requiring a programmer to be ingenious is not acceptable, not these days.
IOW: It’s time for a NEW and superior programming language that never allows buffer overflows, ever. (If someone knows of such a thing in-the-works, I’d love to know about it!)
faster than instant on? wow!
MRAM was “in development” since more that 10 years. color me skeptical.
I wonder how the cost will compare to current SSD’s. Also, would I be able to make a Fusion Drive with it?
Microsoft sufferers can use the new High Amplitude Memory Management Error Reset tool. The HAMMER can be kept in a drawer near the Windows machine or beside the mouse. Microsoft does not warrantee your machine if you use the tool however.
You nailed it
MRAM is sounds interesting, but I prefer the old tube-type ram. May take awhile to warm up, but then the data sounds warmer. Besides, when the earth’s magnetic pole changes, won’t we loose all our data?
How about FRAM? It’s still slow, but hey.
No-go on the MRAM – Think back to the days of tape, analog or digital …
Scenario:
Person 1 – Where’d you put the iXXD?
Person 2 – I set it on the speaker cabinet next to the 9000 Watt/Channel audio amplifier.
Person 1 – Oh, okay … WAIT, WHAT!!!!