32 RAM vs 64 RAM ??

[Green_Day_20]

I dont really understand how this memory can be a determining factor when buying a pocket PC (we really need an FAQ)
Lets say you buy a 32 RAM pocket PC. You can then add a 500 something CF card (for about the same price it would take to upgrade to a 64 RAM machine) so now you have at least 10 times the memory at about the same cost of the 64 RAM 400 MHz PC on its own. Does this make any sense? or is RAM that much more valuable? Does it work in the same manner as add on memory??

[GoldKey]

The extra $100 for the Dell gets you more than just more RAM, it gets you more rom, faster processor and a cradle. Even at that, I don't think you can get a "500 something CF card" for the $100. RAM is better for many reasons. 1) I think you can't always load programs to a CF card 2) Cant use the CF memory cards while using another CF device (wireless) but can always use the RAM 3) Why? Because I Can!

[PapaSmurfDan]

First, I want to know where you are finding 512mb CF cards for 100 bucks, becuase I want one at that price :).

PPC's automaticly split the ram up into two parts; Storage and Program memory. Having more ram incrases the amount of program ram, and also allows you to store more on the device itself. That extra program ram will allow you to keep more programs running. Personally I have yet to ever run out of program ram when I have it allocated above 20mb.

However with the Dell, that step up also gives you the extra 16mb of ROM, where you now have 22mb of storage (vs 6mb) to install programs and copy data to. This is more worthwhile than you can initally think. I thought at first it was not a big deal, until I saw how many apps I have installed in there now. For most users, you can install most of your commonly use apps in there and leave both your flash cards and ram untouched(program wise).

However, there are apps out there that have to be installed into your main ram. Install something like Netfront, at 6mb, your reamining usable space becomes an issue (on a 32mb device).

Figure out what you want your PPC to do, and figure out if 32mb of ram is going to be sufficent.

-Dan

[guinness]

Like my PC, more memory is always better. When I upgraded my PC over the summer, going from a Celeron 433 to an Athlon XP 1800, I skimped on the ram, only going for 256 MB DDR. I've since then added another 512 MB and there is quite a difference. The reason I'd go for the 64 MB versus 32 is that it gives more room to play around with and yes you could add a large memory card to the Axim, but the external ram is also slower than what's built-in. Plus with the 400 MHz model you get the spiffy looking cradle.

[BryGuy]

Why can't they just embed the inards of a 256MB CF or SD (or higher) into the PDA?

Why are we even dealing with 64MB PDA's? It would seem to me that with a slight addition to unit thickness, we could all be deciding if 512MB is needed for the price of a PDA with 256MB.

The memory cards/sticks are so small, why not just embed one.

BryGuy

[theonegod]

ram and a memory card arent remotely related. Not sure why you think they are.

[jproudfo]

ram and a memory card arent remotely related. Not sure why you think they are.

I made that same mistake, myself. :oops:

I think the mistake was made because Palm OS devices don't describe "RAM" the same way the PocketPC devices do. In the Palm world ROM is where the OS resides and RAM is the memory you use to install applications. In other words, RAM is a storage device not an memory area to run applications. They don't make much (any?) reference to the memory that is actually used to run applications.

This is just MHO. I could be wrong. :)

[spursdude]

ram and a memory card arent remotely related. Not sure why you think they are.

I'm not sure who you're quoting here...but if you're talking about PPC RAM, they are quite similar because you're storing stuff on your internal RAM and on your storage card.

For those of you who don't know, a PPC comes with RAM (duh). The RAM is split into two parts, basically. One part is that this RAM can be used to store programs, documents, or even a very limited amount of multimedia - almost like a hard drive in concept. The other use for this RAM is to run programs, like RAM on a desktop computer. This is the RAM the OS needs to run, and also the RAM to power your programs (not to hold them).

So basically, with onboard RAM, you both store some stuff and run some stuff. Through your control panel, you can control how you want to divide up your RAM. Also note that this means that just because your model has 64MB of RAM, that doesn't mean you will have 64MB of storage space - some of it is needed to RUN your programs.

Then come storage cards. These don't do any work in running your programs, which makes it unlike RAM in that sense. It is like internal RAM in that you store stuff on your storage card.

Hope this clears things up for some of you.

[xengren]

You guys forgot some important differences.

Internal RAM
Fast read and write.
Loses information when power runs out. (Both mains and backup.)
Almost indefinite write cycles.
Not as low power when in idle.
Can be used as program memory.

External Card
Slow read and write.
Non-volatile.
Limited write cycles. (Like a CD-RW.)
Lower power when in idle. (0 power when you take it out.)
Cannot be used as program memory.

Hope that helps.

[kellys26]

I have the Dell 400, and two nights ago, a nice female voice stated 'Your Memory is Low'. It was right after I installed the trial for Textmaker. Freaked me out, so I finally figured out how to uninstall it, and I also removed a couple of other programs.
It has happened to me twice since. I changed the settings for memory so that I allocated more for program memory.
Have I installed too many things? I am installing alot of stuff, but I'm also removing it unless I decide to purchase it.
I have started installing all games and books to the SD card. But, I'm still very concerned that I have installed too many things.
Here's what I have installed (from the remove programs screen):
Pocket TV Browser, Pocket TV Listings, Icbar, Calligrapher, Dockware, ewallet, Cruzoe, Snood, Pocket Cook, with PM3, Pocket Informant, JournalPro, Scrabble, Monopoly, Dashboard, tdLaunch, PocketBlinds, CasinoDemo, ListPro, Mahjongg, DiamondMine, Snails demo, Battery Pack, KingSol, and VO Shopping.
Whew, that is quite a list! I know that Monopoly, Scrabble, and Cruzoe are on the SD card.
I also have Microsoft Reader and Palm Reader (not sure why they don't show up on the uninstall list).
Do I have too much?
Kelly

[Sslixtis]

I have the Dell 400, and two nights ago, a nice female voice stated 'Your Memory is Low'. It was right after I installed the trial for Textmaker. Freaked me out, so I finally figured out how to uninstall it, and I also removed a couple of other programs.
It has happened to me twice since. I changed the settings for memory so that I allocated more for program memory.
Have I installed too many things? I am installing alot of stuff, but I'm also removing it unless I decide to purchase it.
I have started installing all games and books to the SD card. But, I'm still very concerned that I have installed too many things.
Here's what I have installed (from the remove programs screen):
Pocket TV Browser, Pocket TV Listings, Icbar, Calligrapher, Dockware, ewallet, Cruzoe, Snood, Pocket Cook, with PM3, Pocket Informant, JournalPro, Scrabble, Monopoly, Dashboard, tdLaunch, PocketBlinds, CasinoDemo, ListPro, Mahjongg, DiamondMine, Snails demo, Battery Pack, KingSol, and VO Shopping.
Whew, that is quite a list! I know that Monopoly, Scrabble, and Cruzoe are on the SD card.
I also have Microsoft Reader and Palm Reader (not sure why they don't show up on the uninstall list).
Do I have too much?
Kelly

The list of programs wont help you too much in deciding if you have too much installed on your PDA because programs installed on your storage cards also show up under remove programs.

The best way to decide if you have too many programs installed is to go to Start>Settings>Memory>Main and see what you have allocated to Storage and Program. Remember that you need to leave enough Program memory free to actually run the programs you install and any programs that aren't closed will require atleast some of this memory to idle in the background. The x in the upper right hand corner just minimizes most programs so they are running in the background.

You may want to uninstall some programs from RAM/Default location and put them either on a card or use the 22Mb of ROM/Built-in-Storage. :wink:

Cheers!