New Computer Memory Likened To Human Brain Cells

Computers with the same capabilities as the human brain have been prime science-fiction fantasy material for decades. However, what was once thought to be an impossible dream has taken a big step closer to becoming reality with the news that engineers at MIT have successfully created a computer memory chip capable of mimicking the function of a synapse.

A synapse is a space between neurotransmitters and the computer chip’s ability to replicate this function means it may be invaluable for medical research. Researches think that it could potentially be used not just in computers but in devices such as artificial retinas, creating a whole new generation of medical advancement.

The computer memory breakthrough comes as part of a collaborative project between DARPA and IBM. The project was tasked with developing a computer memory chip that could learn and remember in much the same way a human brain does. The chip is unique because when replicating the iron channels in the brain, the chip allows current to flow through it constantly whereas most chips are like a switch with an on/off motion. Scientists have pointed out that with an estimated 100 billion neurons in the brain, the synapse chip is just a very small step on the path to creating a complete artificial brain. However, the existence of the chip means that the reality is a step closer.

Even if you don’t want to do anything as lofty as reproduce a human brain on your home or office computer, computer chip advancements like this have many long term positive benefits for the more common memory upgrades we’re used to.

Where you may now look to purchase an Apple memory upgrade of 1GB to improve your computer’s performance, in future the size, speed and capabilities of standard memory upgrades will likely be much bigger running in to tens or dozens of GB, making your machine a powerful super computer in its own right.

To find out more about memory upgrade solutions from Data Memory Systems and to buy online, visit http://www.datamemorysystems.com

Data Memory Systems Launches New Range Of Solid State Drives

Data Memory Systems, the PC memory and Apple memory specialist, have launched a new line of solid-state drives. The SSDs are now available for purchase in three product lines – the DMS Celerity 3G, the DMS Celerity 6G and the DMS Celerity 6G Plus.

SSDs, officially named solid-state drives, but sometimes known as flash based hard drives, are considered to be the final piece in the PC performance puzzle. They can be thought of as the larger cousin of the flash memory stick and make laptops more viable as total replacements for desktop computers. Whilst SSDs may not fit the criteria of a traditional hard drive as they lack any moving parts, they instead consist of NAND flash memory, using integrated circuits. SSDs use both volatile and non-volatile cache – the former needing to be connected to a power source in order to retain dater, and the latter retaining data even when disconnected from a power source.

There are many other advantages of SSDs, the main one being that they have no moving parts, meaning actuator arm which must seek files to read or write. This makes reading and writing data extremely fast. Mechanical failure is the number one reason why most conventional hard drives crash – the moving parts tend to wear out over time with the heat and constant movement. SSDs are more durable, quieter and cooler, with a much lower failure rate. Experts in the field believe that flash based storage drives will eventually replace the traditional hard drive.

The DMS Celerity range combines quality performance and reliability with low power operation to create the ideal storage drive. Those who use their computers or laptops for gaming purposes will notice an instant upgrade in their read and write rate, while those who use their laptop while travelling will observe extended battery-life. The entire range is built using the SandForce Driven controller, and come with a 3-year warranty. Patented ECC algorithms and RAISE™ technology protect the data written to the drive, with efficient bad block management and reduced write amplification. The overall health of the drive is monitored using a set of S.M.A.R.T. attributes entirely specific to SSDs.

The Celerity range at Data Memory Systems currently starts at $95 for a 40GB DMS Celerity 3G Solid State Drive (SSD), going up to $999 for a 480GB DMS Celerity 6G Plus Solid State Drive (SSD).

To find out more about the new range of memory solutions from Data Memory Systems and to buy online, visit http://www.datamemorysystems.com

How Thailand Floods Are Affecting The Hard Drive Market

With Thailand having been hit by its worst flooding on record, experts are predicting a huge rise in the cost of hard drives. Some of the world's largest hard drive makers (and suppliers to such PC titans as Apple Inc and Dell Inc) – Western Digital Corp, Seagate Technologies Plc and Toshiba Inc – have experienced major disruption as a result of the floods. Western Digital Corp's chief executive, John Coyne, has warned that revenue for this December could fall sharply as a large number of the company's supply factories are located in the worst-hit areas.

The production of hard disk drives is expected to stall for the next few months while Thailand attempts to regain control after the floods. Thailand is the second-largest producer of hard drives after China and, consequently, it is predicted that this problem will reach much further afield than the Far East. Manufacturers have raised their prices by 20% - 40% to help them cope with the backlash of the floods, sending prices for companies and consumers all over the world soaring. Tim Cook, the chief executive of Apple Inc has already stated that he is certain the situation will eventually lead to a industry-wide shortage of hard drives, leading to a knock-on effect for consumers who might want to purchase a computer or laptop of any brand.

During the busy holiday season, laptops and computers, as well as apple memory and PC memory are commonly seen as great gifts, however this quarter could see consumers turning away from purchasing them to give as presents due to their inflated market price. It is hard to predict when the prices will return to normal, as most of the largest suppliers in Thailand have only two months' worth of stock left – once their factories are back up and running it could take many more months for them to deal with the backlog of orders from the time they have been closed.

It is not only the computer giants who will notice the shortage of hard drives – neighborhood computer repair shops in the United States are already struggling to find stock as the last of the inventories are quickly snapped up by bigger suppliers who can afford to pay more and charge more for the products.

Data Memory Systems still has many hard drives in stock. To check availability and order online, visit www.datamemorysystems.com