Hi Listers, I have a question/comment that is not really specific to the Duo or the 2400 but it applies to them also. I often hear the comment made that seems to imply that RAM is directly related to speed. I can understand how that can be true to a point, but beyond that "measurable" point, it should make no difference as far as I can tell.
On a Mac, you can have virtual memory turned on or off. If it is ON, my experience has shown that the computer runs slower. This is true even if the app(s) being run at the time don't even come close to using the available real RAM. I have assumed that the reason for this is due to "memory mapping", the fact that the entire program (app) is not loaded into RAM. Some of it is tossed out when other sections of code are called for, and it takes time to load code into RAM even though the unneeded code is not being written back to disk. I am not speaking about virtual memory's swapping to disk, but rather "memory mapping" that occurs whenever VM is on, regardless of available real RAM. My analogy to how much RAM is enough and how much is unnecessary overkill is this: If the gas tank in your car holds enough gas to get you from one gas station to the next, a larger tank won't help you get there faster. In other words, it would seem to me that RAM that is sitting idle is of no benefit. If you have enough RAM to turn VM off (and thus not use memory mapping) and still be able to comfortably load the app(s) you want, what else do you need? I realize that some software uses RAM for temporary storage and maybe more will help, I don't know. But it is hard for me to believe that the difference is very noticeable, as I have never been able to even measure speed differences, let alone notice it, with more RAM, as long as I had enough to turn OFF virtual memory. So what do the experts say... "enough is enough" or "more is better" ? Greg ---------- Duo/2400 List, The friendliest place on the Net! A listserv for users and fans of Mac subportables. FAQ at <http://www.themacintoshguy.com/lists/DuoListFAQ.shtml> Be sure to visit Mac2400! <http://www.sineware.com/mac2400> To unsubscribe, E-mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To switch to the DIGEST mode, E-mail to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Need help from a real person? Try. <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ---------- Dr. Bott | 10/100 Ethernet for your 2400 is finally here! MPC-100 | <http://www.drbott.com/prod/mpc100.html> RoadTools $30 PodiumPad available at Apple retail stores, $20 Traveler CoolPad at Staples. Both in white for iBooks at <http://roadtools.com> Midwest Mac Parts ][ <http://www.midwestmac.com> After-market parts for Macs. ][ 888-356-1104 ][ MacResQ Specials: LaCie SCSI CDR From $99! PowerBook 3400/200 Only $879! Norton AntiVirus 6 Only $19! We Stock PARTS! <http://www.macresq.com>
