Typically, one of the speed bottlenecks a computer encounters when not enough RAM is available is the process of swapping memory out to disk to free up RAM for other tasks. Because writing speeds to hard disk are relatively slow, that's where you encounter slowdowns.
Nowadays, most mobile devices use flash memory which is faster than a traditional hard drive which means the speed for swapping RAM contents out to disk should be less of an issue. Assuming there isn't some gotcha in this scenario (and I don't profess to be an expert in these matters) I have to ask why does the amount of RAM in a mobile device even matter? Seems it would be a lot less critical for performance than for a computer.
I see no reason to assert that the iPad 3 will contain 1GB of RAM, nor sufficient reason to define 1GB of RAM as some kind of new 'threshold' for Apple's iOS products.
Indeed. Spec wanking at its finest.
If it can do what it promises and well that is enough
That's what I like about AppleInsider: making promises that Apple may or may not keep. We don't even know if it will be called "iPad 3". It could be the iPad 2S
That's a very good point. Won't that just burst some people's veins?
Why don't they use some of the media storage as RAM? Then it would have 16.5, 32.5 or 64.5 GB or RAM? Which would be more than most Macs!
RAM is written to many times per second. The storage chips you are referring to have limited amount of write cycles. Meaning your storage space will wear off very quickly. So, not a good idea.
I see no reason to assert that the iPad 3 will contain 1GB of RAM, nor sufficient reason to define 1GB of RAM as some kind of new 'threshold' for Apple's iOS products.
If the iPad 3 has a retina display, it will need 1 GB at minimum.
the RAM is built into the CPU chip. Its the same CPU as the iPad2. Why would anyone expect it to have a different amount of RAM than the iPad2? Of course it has 512MB of RAM.
RAM is written to many times per second. The storage chips you are referring to have limited amount of write cycles. Meaning your storage space will wear off very quickly. So, not a good idea.
Write endurance for solid state storage is not the same problem it once was.
If the iPad 3 gets double resolution then I think 1GB RAM is a given.
I will bet my firstborn that iPad 3 resolution will not double. Won't happen, and please mark my word (so if I happen to be wrong you can remind me in the future).
So then why doesn't the iPhone 4 get Siri? Processor? Ok then why not the iPad which in all likelihood matches ram and has a faster processor, at least equal?
My guess is that Apple has limited Siri to the iPhone 4S to make it a differentiating feature, even if the iPhone 4 might have the horsepower to run it.
It's still beta, so it's possible that we might see Siri on other devices once it leaves beta status (although I'm not counting on it) and if Apple can optimize it enough to run on older devices.
I?m not surprised by this. The iPad 2 runs very smoothly on 512 MB of RAM. Safari caches internet content making multi-tab browsing fluid. I?m not a number cruncher but iOS can probably achieve more with 512 MB than a PC could with 1GB because of the lack of overhead.
Although some people malign Apple for not offering ?true multitasking? I see their implementation as a boon for users because it prevents software developers from authoring lazy code that constantly runs in the background, choking the device.
I was hoping that the 4s would more RAM cause i cant remember how many times my Iphone 4 has crashed due to safari using so much ram. now i have to think whether to get the iphone 4s.
Goddamn, man, lay off the porn
My iPhone 4 Safari rarely crashes. In fact, it's more reliable than IE9 on my office computer.
Comments
Nowadays, most mobile devices use flash memory which is faster than a traditional hard drive which means the speed for swapping RAM contents out to disk should be less of an issue. Assuming there isn't some gotcha in this scenario (and I don't profess to be an expert in these matters) I have to ask why does the amount of RAM in a mobile device even matter? Seems it would be a lot less critical for performance than for a computer.
I see no reason to assert that the iPad 3 will contain 1GB of RAM, nor sufficient reason to define 1GB of RAM as some kind of new 'threshold' for Apple's iOS products.
Indeed. Spec wanking at its finest.
If it can do what it promises and well that is enough
That's what I like about AppleInsider: making promises that Apple may or may not keep. We don't even know if it will be called "iPad 3". It could be the iPad 2S
That's a very good point. Won't that just burst some people's veins?
Are we 100% sure it only has 512K RAM?
Why don't they use some of the media storage as RAM? Then it would have 16.5, 32.5 or 64.5 GB or RAM? Which would be more than most Macs!
RAM is written to many times per second. The storage chips you are referring to have limited amount of write cycles. Meaning your storage space will wear off very quickly. So, not a good idea.
I see no reason to assert that the iPad 3 will contain 1GB of RAM, nor sufficient reason to define 1GB of RAM as some kind of new 'threshold' for Apple's iOS products.
If the iPad 3 has a retina display, it will need 1 GB at minimum.
You will be looking at 4x pixels.
c'mon folks,
the RAM is built into the CPU chip. Its the same CPU as the iPad2. Why would anyone expect it to have a different amount of RAM than the iPad2? Of course it has 512MB of RAM.
The RAM is NOT built into the CPU chip.
RAM is written to many times per second. The storage chips you are referring to have limited amount of write cycles. Meaning your storage space will wear off very quickly. So, not a good idea.
Write endurance for solid state storage is not the same problem it once was.
And the additional GPU cores and increased L2 Cache (1MB vs 512k) add to the optimization.
It would be interesting if Webkit was OpenCL enabled to make good use of the GPUs.
It would be interesting if Webkit was OpenCL enabled to make good use of the GPUs.
For parallel computing?
If the iPad 3 gets double resolution then I think 1GB RAM is a given.
I will bet my firstborn that iPad 3 resolution will not double. Won't happen, and please mark my word (so if I happen to be wrong you can remind me in the future).
It's still beta, so it's possible that we might see Siri on other devices once it leaves beta status (although I'm not counting on it) and if Apple can optimize it enough to run on older devices.
My original Apple computer had 64K of RAM on board. I suggest Apple go back to the way they sold the Apple IIe, with dual disc drives.
I own most of the worlds last stock of 5 1/4 - I have refused to believe so far there is no longer any need,,,
I own most of the worlds last stock of 5 1/4 - I have refused to believe so far there is no longer any need,,,
How much is "most"? I have at least fifty blanks and 200 store-bought myself.
Although some people malign Apple for not offering ?true multitasking? I see their implementation as a boon for users because it prevents software developers from authoring lazy code that constantly runs in the background, choking the device.
Btw, I'm certain the 4s has more than 512MB. I read a post here where I guy said so. Oh and the iPod Classic is gone too.
For parallel computing?
For basic compositing, and two dozen other uses.
I was hoping that the 4s would more RAM cause i cant remember how many times my Iphone 4 has crashed due to safari using so much ram. now i have to think whether to get the iphone 4s.
Goddamn, man, lay off the porn
My iPhone 4 Safari rarely crashes. In fact, it's more reliable than IE9 on my office computer.
Goddamn, man, lay off the porn
My iPhone 4 Safari rarely crashes. In fact, it's more reliable than IE9 on my office computer.
He's not even saying Safari crashes, he's saying Safari crashes his phone. The only time I've seen a smartphone crash repeatedly is with Android.