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Laptops with Big RAM?

Posted by Cliff on from the beyond-the-2Gb-barrier dept.

Fubari wonders: "Anybody know when laptops over 4gb might be coming out? Some of the dev-tools I want to run are just obscene RAM-pigs. On the desktop I'm using now (Win2003), it sucks up 1.6gb just to boot. By the time I log in and start doing work, it is stretching 2Gb. Move that to Vista, add a VM-Ware session or two, and I'm worried I'll be pushing 4Gb. I'm torn between buying a 4Bb-max laptop now, or some mini-desktop that can fit in a set of luggage wheels. A friend of mine suggested something like this, but my first choice would be something designed to be portable. Any suggestions?"

5 of 172 comments (clear)

  1. Harder than you think by HardCase · · Score: 5, Interesting

    You've got a couple of problems to deal with. The first is power consumption - two 2GB modules will consume a crazy amount of power. It's quite surprising just how much power a couple of modules require. The second is space. Current DRAM components are too large to fit 2GB worth on a single SODIMM. Take a look at the space on a DDR2 UDIMM and you'll see that there's almost no extra room on one of them.

    2GB SODIMMs are built - I've worked on some creative designs that stacked DRAM components to achieve the necessary density, but the modules aren't suited for laptops because they're too thick and a notebook can't provide the necessary cooling.

    It seems to me that you're a year or two ahead of technology, I'm afraid.

    -h-

    1. Re:Harder than you think by HardCase · · Score: 5, Informative

      Oh crap, here I am replying to my own post. Where I said 2GB, please substitute 4GB instead. D'oh!

  2. 16GB Dual-Proc SPARC by KatTran · · Score: 5, Interesting

    http://www.tadpole.com/products/notebooks/bullfrog dp.asp

    FEATURES AND ADVANTAGES:

            * Powerful Performance and Processing:
                        o Dual CPU 1.2GHz UltraSPARC-IIIi, 1 MB level 2 Cache with 1GB-8GB memory per CPU (Up to 16GB total)
                        o Solaris 9 Operating Environment
                        o Full-length PCI slot supporting Windows co-processor, network adaptors, high end graphics and many other options
            * State of the Art Mobility:
                        o Mobile server consolidation - the 22 lbs Bullfrog Dual Processor replaces a typical 450 lbs server box (with power backup modules) with no loss in performance or connectivity
                        o Permits a "work from anywhere" environment
                        o Consolidation of Solaris and Windows onto one box
            * Redundancy:
                        o Dual Disk Drives with capacity of up to 200GB (100GB + 100 GB)
                        o Built in UPS
                        o Dual Processors
            * Efficiency:
                        o Total costs reduced by as much as 50% over equivalent conventional server system
                        o Total weight savings of as much as 90%
            * Reduced Complexity when deployed with Comet 12/15 Thin Clients:
                        o Wireless Solutions are simple to deploy
                        o Reduced System Admin overheads
                        o Manage services not desktops
                        o Reduce desktop productivity licensing by a factor of 10
            * Accessories & Upgrades: A wide range of accessories that enhance Tadpole Bullfrog usability

    1. Re:16GB Dual-Proc SPARC by KE1LR · · Score: 5, Funny

      Battery life: 12 seconds. :-)

  3. Re:Why not get one by nick_davison · · Score: 5, Funny

    with a few smaller ewes instead? Speaking as someone who grew up on the border of Wales, can I recommend goats? They're like sheep but with the added convenience of handlebars.