Slashdot Mirror
Notebook Makers Moving to 4 GB Memory As Standard
akintayo writes "Digitimes reports that first-tier notebook manufacturers are increasing the standard installed memory from the current 1 GB to 4GB. They claim the move is an attempt to shore up the costs of DRAM chips, which are currently depressed because of a glut in market. The glut is supposedly due to increased manufacturing capacity and the slow adoption of Microsoft's Vista operating system. The proposed move is especially interesting, given that 32-bit Vista and XP cannot access 4 GB of memory. They have a practical 3.1 — 3.3 GB limit. With Vista SP1 it seems that Microsoft has decided to fix the problem by reporting the installed memory rather than the available memory."
The only Microsoft desktop operating system available to new PC buyers, after M$ stops licensing XP, will be Vista.
The only way to get Vista to run halfway decent is to throw better hardware at it.
When a new Vista laptop comes with 4 GB of RAM and a 512 MB video adapter, it will run almost as well as an XP laptop did with 512 MB RAM and a 128 MB video adapter. Nostalgia for XP will fade. As existing PCs fail, they will be replaced by Vista boxes.
Sooner or later, the OEMs will start offering 64-bit Vista on these machines (as a higher-cost option), and limiting the included bloatware to 64-bit versions. (This will have the desired effect of locking those buyers into subscribing to the pre-installed $ecurity $oftware, and constraining their ability to use older software... all win-win for McAfee, $ymantec, and M$).
If he actually wants to do something with his computer, why is he using windows?
Standard operating practice for Redmond is to rollout each new OS with a strict requirement that bumps up against the current hardware maximum generally available. Just because Vista can't address 4GB doesn't mean they can't check for it and require it anyway. Redmond and hardware companies have always had an incestuous relationship - a more than gentleman's agreement that hardware and software will bloat up hand in hand. Everyone knows that.
Speak for yourself. It took three hours to get the thing to work with my Phillips socket. IRC was no help. Check it out:
me> Can somebody tell me how to get Linux working with my apartments Phillips brand lightbulb sockets?
linuxd0rk> STFU n00bie! Everybody knows Phillips sucks! They dont want to support Linux Lightbulbs!
me> That is nice, but I just signed a year lease for this aparment, what do you suggest?
linuxd0rk> You suck! You should have looked at the lightbulb sockets before signing the lease. Everybody knows that!
me> Is there a list of supported sockets? I tried to find one, but I couldn't.
linuxd0rk> Google it, dumbass
me> I tried google, no dice
linuxd0rk> There is the linux hardware list, stupid. What, are you a westinghouse looser?
me> That hardware is five years old, they dont even have the new sockets from Westinghouse that use AC power!
linuxd0rk> Everybody knows AC is just an attempt by westinghouse further their monopoly. You should use DC, stupid. AC is a patent minefield and besides DC is way better anyways. It is open source power!
me> DC? My apartment runs on 120V AC like everybody else in this country. What do you suggest?
linuxd0rk> You should have got a DC apartment. DC is open source. Are you a westinghouse shill? Do you like all the evil patents on AC?
me> AC is the defacto standard and has been for years, idiot!
* me@123.abc.street.com banned by linuxd0rk (+xyz) ("STFU n00bie")
bsdsucks> lol! stupid n00bies
linuxd0rk> yeah. stupid n00bies...
bsdsucks> wonder how much that guy got paid to shill out AC current?
linuxd0rk> yeah. lots of westinghouse shills on this channel now...
Proof that linux isn't ready for the apartment!