Windows 8 Launches; DRAM Sales Set To Stall

In the past, the launch of brand new PC operating systems, especially those from Microsoft, have generated a surge in quarterly DRAM shipments and created huge demand for higher-performance memory and hardware. Windows 2000 famously sent computer memory demand soaring by almost 50%, and double-digit jump in revenues are generally expected whenever Microsoft posts a major update. But with the brand new Windows 8 moving away from conventional computer memory options and streamlining their hard drives, the market has seen a dip in sales, for the second time in a row when a new version of Windows has been released.

 

The leaner memory requirements for Windows 8 have indicated that shipments of RAM memory and other hardware will not significantly increase in the last quarter of 2012; a rarity considering it is the quarter leading up to the traditionally frenetic Christmas season. Predictions of a boost of just 8% will see the smallest DRAM increase in recent years. The trend is no new phenomenon; it actually commenced with Windows 7. Its predecessor, Windows Vista, was infamously resource-hungry, and with the introduction of Windows 7 and 8, Microsoft took the decision to reduce their operating systems’ reliance on DRAM.

 

The gradual slowing in demand for DRAM might not be great for the industry as a whole, but consumers can currently take advantage of incredible deals on PC memory upgrades. What has turned out to be a huge oversupply during the past two years has meant that the demand, and therefore the prices, for basic memory solutions are now lower than ever before. 4GB of computer memory is now available for around $16 - $20, meaning that anyone who does wish to upgrade a system in preparation for Windows 8, or upgrade purely because they’d like a higher-performing unit, can do so much more cost-effectively.

 

As gloomy as the figures for the future of DRAM in PCs appear to be, there is an area of the memory market which might benefit Windows 8. Flash memory is an aspect of storage which might see something of a boost, as a direct result of the new Windows To Go option, which allows users to boot up and run Windows 8 from a flash drive. Able to run on both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 connections, Windows To Go is a revolution for companies, travellers and those working from home, and the market for USB storage devices might well receive a welcome boost as a result of the launch.

Apple’s Fusion Drive – The Advantages

The latest Apple launch garnered worldwide attention, as is its custom nowadays, and was used to reveal the brand new iPad Mini, as well as a whole host of other updates and changes to their existing products. One of the most exciting new features was the introduction of the Fusion drive, available in their desktop Apple computers, the iMac and the Mac Mini. The Fusion drive combines hard disk drives with flash memory and offers a ‘fusion’ of 128GB of NAND flash memory, and either a huge 1TB or 3TB hard disk drive.

 

When paired together, this combination of Apple memory types means much faster boot times, as well as a rapid launch of pre-loaded applications and programs. These apps, the operating system itself and any vital programs are all pre-loaded onto the flash memory for the fastest possible access times. 4GB of the flash memory is also devoted to acting as a write buffer, which stores new data on the flash memory whilst speeding up writes that don’t fit comfortable on the buffer. The older data is transferred to the hard disk drive as and when it is written, speeding up performance substantially, especially when writing smaller amounts of data.

 

By moving the most frequently-accessed data and apps to the flash memory, and moving the least frequently-accessed data to the hard disk drive, access times for the most popular functions are incredibly fast. In managing the storage this way, combining the best of both computer memory solutions, Apple came up with the name for the Fusion drive. This brand new approach to memory is being hailed as a performance-booster for hard disk drive-only computers, with a much lower price tag than a SSD-only computer.

 

As Apple has already introduced this new memory option in its desktop computers, it seems only a matter of time before it is implemented within their range of notebooks. The write cache would be a revolutionary feature for notebooks, which are currently hybrid hard disk drives unsupportive of write caching. In allowing the hard disk drive to consume lower power for longer periods of time, battery life for notebooks could be vastly improved upon, as well as the overall performance boost that would be standard.

Apple has long since been the go-to manufacturer for many users who regularly access vast amounts of content, including artists, musicians, designers and other creative professionals. Increasing the amount of local storage their products have, whilst simultaneously increasing the levels of performance could be the last piece of the puzzle for Apple. This new dual storage option offers both capacity and speed, and can be expected to be wheeled out within all Apple products in the coming years.

 

Memory Market Facing Huge Changes

Manufacturers of computer memory are already engaged in strategic planning for several years ahead, but with huge changes taking place in the market currently, as well as demands for DRAM taking a hit, some are said to be struggling to figure out how much of their budget to allocate to producing new memory. In recent years, the upgrade cycles of computers have meant that DRAM suppliers have continually advanced their technologies and adjusted their prices accordingly. However, the declining sales of PCs, and the emergence of tablets and smartphones as a potential replacement, has seen the upgrade cycle stretch from just two years up to four or five. The back-to-school season from August to September has been a let-down for many companies, and the Christmas surge is yet to pick up the pace, not even with the glimmer of Windows 8 on the horizon. The manufacturers of DRAM have been unable to improve their sales, and as a result of this, it seems increasingly likely that even the largest companies who produce memory will be reducing their output.

TrendForce, a leading market research company, reports that Samsung, the industry leader of RAM memory, will spent 2013 being highly conservative and will slow down technology migration plans considerably. The majority of companies will face heavy losses in the next calendar year, although TrendForce also believes that the largest suppliers, such as Samsung and SK Hynix, will still be standing when the dust settles. It is companies in Taiwan who will experience the biggest losses and will need to decrease their PC DRAM production by the largest amount. Nanya intends to turn from commodity DRAM to specialty DRAM production, while Powerchip could follow suit. The industry-wide slow output has seen predictions for bit supply growth hit just 22.2%.

Despite all of this doom and gloom, the DRAM industry is a viable, competitive and sustainable market. PC shipments are no longer the mainstream; figures for PC sales dipped below a 50% market share for the first time this year, but it doesn’t mean that this is the end of the personal computer. In fact, tales of the demise of DRAM have been greatly exaggerated. The oversupply which started in the past two years or so has seen prices for 4GB memory solutions fall to historical lows; great for consumers and the general public. Indeed, some of the cheapest 4GB PC memory solutions are now in the region of just $16, meaning that many PC users can now upgrade their existing systems to make them faster than ever. The market may be in dire straits, but this doesn’t mean that the consumer will suffer in any way. The cheaper memory solutions now available won’t dramatically boost the sales of DRAM worldwide, but they can certainly provide a personal computer with a cost-effective and high-quality upgrade.

The 2012 Macbook Pro Memory Mystery

Although it has been billed as ‘the most beautiful computer’ that Apple have ever built, and was launched to incredible sales figures in its opening weeks, the newest model of the Macbook Pro has come under fire for its non-upgradable memory and internal storage. Indeed, the lack of Apple memory options available for the new model has been listed as the top complaint for users of the new system, alongside the thermal shutdown function and the relative inability to repair faulty machines. The glued-in battery and the soldered RAM memory renders any sort of modification impossible. 25% of users surveyed by a FixYa report found this flaw unacceptable and are actively searching for ways in which the memory of their expensive new models can be enhanced.

Experts are advising that if consumers wish to buy a Macbook Pro with extensive memory options, they purchase an older model, but this would mean missing out on the celebrated new retina display along with a host of other new features. Those who wish to enjoy the new features of a Macbook Pro can turn to the alternative of purchasing external storage to store their most important files. External hard disks or hard drives can massively expand the initial space for Apple products and their small size fits perfectly with the portable element of the famously thin laptops.

External hard drives come with a whole raft of different options and sizes. Many of them utilize FireWire 800, Apple’s branded name for their own high-speed data serial bus, which can transfer data at rates of up to 800 megabits per second. USB 2.0 connectivity is also a standard so the units can be used to extend PC storage as well as that of a Macbook Pro. Units such as the 500GB Lacie Rugged 2.5-inch External Hard Drive are entirely powered by the port they are connected to, be that FireWire or USB, and they are plug and play, so no drivers are needed to necessitate use. These external drives are ideal for backups, as well as storing and transferring music, photos and other data. The shock resistant rubber bumper around the edges of the drive means this type of drive offers optimum portability and can be coupled with a Macbook Pro on the go for a powerful, high-speed memory upgrade.

Flash memory is also an alternative to keeping the data storage within a Macbook Pro relatively clear. USB flash drives and SD memory cards can effectively store photos and other important documents away from the system itself to keep it running smoothly and prevent the memory from becoming full too quickly. USB drives generally have much smaller capacity than external hard drives, but their higher levels of portability make them easier to use for those constantly on the go.

Tablets and PCs to ‘Work Together’ – HP Boss

The largest manufacturer of memory chips in the US, Micron Technology Inc., has reported a much larger fourth-quarter loss than expected for the period than ended August 30^th. Their net loss was $243 million, compared with just $135 million a year earlier, and the lower revenue is said to be due to a lacklustre demand for personal computers. The shrinking demand has seen sales of DRAM (dynamic random access memory) fall by 9% in the previous quarter, and many experts are saying this is a bad sign for those involved in the personal computer business; if the quarter ahead of the holiday season, as well as the quarter directly before the launch of Microsoft’s highly anticipated Windows 8 cannot reignite interest in purchasing computer memory, the chances of a reinvigoration in the near future look unlikely.

Companies such as Apple and RIM, who mainly manufacture handheld and portable devices, are keen to jump on the so-called ‘post-PC era’ bandwagon, but it’s been predicted in many quarters that the personal computer will continue to hold its own. HP executive Todd Bradley believes that it will be the partnership between such handheld devices and PCs which will see the greatest evolution in the coming years.

"Tablets will occupy a unique place," he says. "PCs will occupy a unique place. But and more with the ability to work together." There is no dismissal for either personal computers or tablets and smartphones, because the fact remains that each device has advantages that its competitors will never be able to match up to. Smartphones and tablets have a portable aspect which the PC will never be able to match, but PCs provide a fixed workstation that will always benefit a workplace or home office environment. The processors in PCs are generally agreed to be much stronger than those in portable devices due to their space restrictions, with PC users also able to add DRAM or RAM memory to their system whenever they feel it necessary. This is not yet possible with portable devices, but it is widely acknowledged that huge steps are being taken to ensure high memory levels in the devices in future.

Similarly to the HP Vice President, Canute Otellini, CEO of Intel, has vehemently denied the demise of the personal computer. "The PC isn't going away any time soon. If ever," he told BusinessWeek.

These extreme dips in demand for computer memory may sound like gloomy indications of the future for PCs, but they will have one huge benefit for customers; manufacturers will now need to up their game in regards to prices and packages to ensure their customers do not look elsewhere for their PC memory needs. The competitive nature of the market will likely result in lower prices for consumers and allow them to perform memory upgrades on their systems for much less than they did in previous years.

Schools In The US Roll Out ‘Bring Your Own Device’ Schemes

For college students, bringing a laptop to class has been a vital part of college life for years; it allows them to keep track of fast-moving lectures and create, save and co-ordinate their notes easily, contributing to more efficient studying methods. But now many high schools across the US are also trying to integrate laptops into their classes, with one school in New Hampshire, piloting a ‘Bring Your Own Device’ program. The scheme, aimed at encouraging children in schools to further their learning by using interactive apps and programs, is still in a trial period, but is seeing great success already.

For the parents of pupils starting at a high school that may be promoting a similar policy, it is essential that the students’ devices are functioning at peak form to allow them to get the most out of their studies. This includes making sure all typing equipment (especially for tablet devices) is in good condition, ensuring parental blocks or sufficient anti-virus software is installed, and perhaps most importantly, making sure the laptops have enough RAM memory to perform properly.

Some educational apps or programs might need large quantities of RAM to run, and many students will multi-task while they study; perhaps downloading a paper while streaming a demonstrational video of an experiment, browsing the internet for background information and typing up their findings on a word processing program. All of these tasks require a certain amount of memory to run, be that Apple or PC memory, and without the adequate amount, students may find themselves at a disadvantage in their studies. A slow laptop will inhibit pupils from accessing the data that they need, when they need it, and may impede progression.

Students are noted as saying that bringing their own laptops to class helps them to manage their workload more easily and allows them to keep up with the lesson flow. Another school, Hollis Brookline High School, started their version of the scheme last year to widespread success, and much of the same feedback is anticipated from the new arrangement in Greater Nashua. When computer memory is at optimum level and the machines are working at the highest standard, studying methods can be greatly refined; lessons can be supplemented with easy-to-access extra reading, videos or other media, and a higher volume of material can be offered to the students. If the schemes see similar levels of success, many high schools may soon roll out policies to step further into the 21^st century and allow devices in all classes.

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Energy-Efficient RAM On The Horizon

Researchers in the United States and South Korea have both reported findings regarding a new material that will solve a huge problem currently plaguing computers across the globe. It’s estimated that Americans spend $6billion per year on the electricity it takes the keep track of work which hasn’t yet been saved to computer hard drives. Currently, RAM memory requires a constant electrical current in order to function; this computer multitasking is costing households thousands of dollars in energy bills as the machines work RAM memory running smoothly. But a new way of manipulating molecules has been discovered which may pave the way for energy-efficient RAM memory.

Hard drives are ‘stable’ memory, storing information as strips of magnetic orientation recorded on a magnetic disc; no extra electricity is required to power this type of memory, and once something is saved there, it is saved regardless of a power source. But RAM memory is known as ‘volatile’ memory, which means that if the power being fed to the computer were to be suddenly switched off, the information stored in the RAM memory would be lost forever. Whilst there are some alternatives to conventional RAM which don’t consume high levels of electricity, they are often heavy and expensive.

The breakthrough which may allow electricity bills to be drastically reduced, came about as a complete accident. A crystalline organic compound, made out of cheap children’s building blocks, was the subject of some light-hearted experiment between chemists at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, and a postdoctoral fellow from Harvard University. It was discovered that after a slight tweak, they could get the molecules within the compound to stack on top of one another, creating a new material.

The new material is what’s known as ‘ferroelectric’, which means that one of the sides is negatively charged while the other is positively charged. Running electricity through such a material flips the charges, and the orientation of each side will remain the same until another surge of electricity is passed through it. The complex manipulation of the molecules has led the scientists to discover ways in which they can change the molecules and put them together in different ways. Rather than with conventional RAM, which requires resistors linked together in an electrically-charged circuit, this new type of memory would not need a constant power source in order to preserve the data it holds, thus changing the way data is stored by computers forever.

To browse the whole range of Data Memory Systems memory solutions and to buy online, visit http://www.datamemorysystems.com