PimpDaddy
02-13-2004, 09:46 PM
Surfed be Kim Kommandos site :WTF: and saw this.......kinda interesting..
MRAM (Magnetic or Magneto-resistive Random Access Memory) is one of
many technologies that could revolutionize computers. They all have
a couple things in common: They're widely hyped, and they're not ready
for prime time, yet.
MRAM, which has been demonstrated by Motorola and IBM, is not volatile.
That means it does not lose its data when the power goes off. DRAM,
which is used in today's computers, only retains its data when the
computer is on. Turn it off, and the data is gone.
MRAM dates from discoveries in 1974. In the mid-90s, the Defense
Department began pushing research on it. Its proponents have forecast
its imminent arrival this year.
I hope they are true but it may not be until 2005 before we really
see it in action. And in that time, something even better may come out.
That's one of the great things about technology.
When MRAM shows up in computers, it will be revolutionary. It will be
faster than today's DRAM (Dynamic RAM), although a little more
expensive initially. Its lack of volatility means that computers will
power on quickly, rather than go through today's boot up process.
Actually, development of MRAM and other memory technologies is
being driven more by cell phones than computers. With the spread of
camera phones and, soon, video phones, the need for non-volatile memory
is great.
Even if MRAM becomes available in large quantities, there is no
guarantee that it will work with today's microprocessors.
Microprocessors and memory are closely connected. Motorola is building
its memory to work with its own processors. Texas Instruments, which is
big in cell phones, is backing FRAM (Ferroelectric RAM), another non-
volatile technology, for its processors. And Intel is working on Ovonic
Unified Memory.
So what does this mean for computer users? At the moment, not much.
Eventually, something better will replace DRAM. It's interesting to
discuss MRAM and all these other technologies. But don't hold off on
a computer purchase, waiting for the next great thing. It's way down
the road.
MRAM (Magnetic or Magneto-resistive Random Access Memory) is one of
many technologies that could revolutionize computers. They all have
a couple things in common: They're widely hyped, and they're not ready
for prime time, yet.
MRAM, which has been demonstrated by Motorola and IBM, is not volatile.
That means it does not lose its data when the power goes off. DRAM,
which is used in today's computers, only retains its data when the
computer is on. Turn it off, and the data is gone.
MRAM dates from discoveries in 1974. In the mid-90s, the Defense
Department began pushing research on it. Its proponents have forecast
its imminent arrival this year.
I hope they are true but it may not be until 2005 before we really
see it in action. And in that time, something even better may come out.
That's one of the great things about technology.
When MRAM shows up in computers, it will be revolutionary. It will be
faster than today's DRAM (Dynamic RAM), although a little more
expensive initially. Its lack of volatility means that computers will
power on quickly, rather than go through today's boot up process.
Actually, development of MRAM and other memory technologies is
being driven more by cell phones than computers. With the spread of
camera phones and, soon, video phones, the need for non-volatile memory
is great.
Even if MRAM becomes available in large quantities, there is no
guarantee that it will work with today's microprocessors.
Microprocessors and memory are closely connected. Motorola is building
its memory to work with its own processors. Texas Instruments, which is
big in cell phones, is backing FRAM (Ferroelectric RAM), another non-
volatile technology, for its processors. And Intel is working on Ovonic
Unified Memory.
So what does this mean for computer users? At the moment, not much.
Eventually, something better will replace DRAM. It's interesting to
discuss MRAM and all these other technologies. But don't hold off on
a computer purchase, waiting for the next great thing. It's way down
the road.