I don't know which memory costs more, but on higher-end models like the T5 andI don't think devices before t5 and treo 650 are unreliable just because you can lose your data due to battery depletion. Who takes hanheld devices seriously don't use them just like that old computer out there that someone use every month or so. The average owner use his/her pda very often and keep it charged so he/she can use it (because he/she needs the information stored). Besides, a device won't turn on if there isn't enough power, just to keep data a few more days (a week or so). A way to improve this protection would be just increase a few mV the critical threshold to keep data on memory without sacrifying that much the time the device can be on, even on devices such as phones where user can keep using it (ie. talking) until run out of battery.
650, I doubt the cost difference was the deciding factor. In fact, it wouldn't
surprise me if the net cost was higher using NAND. IMHO, the change to
non-volatile storage is actually very welcome and in the long term may *improve*
the perceived relability of the devices because the data won't be lost simply
due to battery depletion.
On the other hand, if we talk about reliability, we should take into account flash memory degradation. How many times can be a sector in the t5 memory rewritten? maybe 100,000? how many times are sectors rewritten in a t5? memory is not read and written only by storing records, but memory allocation/deallocation and defragmentation. how long will the memory last? (well maybe more than the average user will own the device but it won't last forever).
IMHO I don't think data loss is a real threat for most users and I don't think flash memory is better and more reliable than it's counterpart.
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