Intel Turbo Memory - why not to get it

[chera]

Intel's "Santa Rosa" mobile platform iteration includes something called Turbo Memory: an embedded flash memory module right next to the processor.  It's offered in the latest R61 and T61 Thinkpads from Lenovo.  Anyways, I was doing some research on it, and it seems that it isn't neccesarily the best thing to get on your new laptop.  The following article snippets explain why:

HP will not include Intel's Turbo Memory technology in any of its Centrino Pro notebooks, the manufacturer has revealed exclusively to ZDNet.co.uk.

Turbo Memory is an embedded flash memory module, formerly known by its codename "Robson". Turbo Memory is designed to take advantage of Windows Vista features like ReadyBoost and ReadyDrive, which improve a notebook's start-up time and performance by boosting the computer's existing RAM. ReadyBoost can already be utilized by inserting a memory card or USB stick into a Vista-based computer, but Turbo Memory is being touted as a way to take advantage of the feature without having to add external media.

...
Nearly all of the major notebook vendors--including Acer, Dell and Toshiba--will include Turbo Memory in their new machines.
...
But, in contrast, HP claims that Turbo Memory represents poor value for money and that it limits flexibility.  Steve Doddridge, senior notebook technology consultant for HP Personal Systems Group EMEA, added: "We looked at the baseline system performance of a standard system [with 1GB of RAM] without any Robson or ReadyBoost type of technology added, and we then compared that to the same system with Robson, and the same system but just with an [equivalently-sized] SD card or USB stick."

Using Intel's benchmark test for evaluating the performance of Turbo Memory, HP's team did see the improvements in performance that Intel had predicted. However, because 1GB of Turbo Memory is effectively split into two--with one half serving ReadyBoost and the other ReadyDrive--adding a 512MB SD card or a 512MB USB stick to the baseline system resulted in the same improvements.

The greatest improvement came as a result of adding more actual RAM to the system. "We added 1GB of RAM and saw a much higher improvement in performance compared to using any of the ReadyBoost or Robson technology," Doddridge said, adding that: "If you have enough system RAM in the system already, ReadyBoost doesn't give you a lot."

HP's decision was also based on the fact that ReadyBoost can only use one memory source at a time, which means that having Turbo Memory--which comes at a maximum size of 1GB--integrated into a notebook stops the customer from using, for example, a 2GB USB stick to boost the computer's memory.

So it looks like you should use your cash to load up on RAM, and then later on, add incremental ReadyDrive/ReadyBoost memory at the sizes that make sense at the time.

[NAzu]

If I remember correctly that is supported by P35 chipset also.

[StreakInTheSky]

haha I was wondering what exactly the turbomemory thing was about.

[chera]

Addendum:  A reviewer from Trusted Reviews notes that with Turbo Memory:

1 - You don’t need to have a USB key sticking out of the side of your notebook.

2 - Turbo Memory utilises the PCI Express interface, which is faster than the USB 2.0 interface.

3 - Turbo Memory will consume approximately one third the power of a USB based device.

4 - The user doesn’t need to remember to insert a USB module to get the Ready Boost benefit.

5 - A USB key can not improve Windows boot times, since Vista will not store boot files on non-persistent memory. Turbo Memory on the other hand can improve Windows boot times by up to 20 per cent.

Unfortunately Windows Vista only allows one Ready Boost device to be used at a time, so you can’t use Turbo Memory and a USB key simultaneously. Even more disappointing is that you won’t be able to use Turbo Memory and one of the new hybrid hard disks that have recently been announced. Whether this situation will change with a Vista Service Pack remains to be seen, but hopefully Microsoft will see sense and allow multiple devices.

So you might get a performance boost for using 1GB Turbo Memory, compared to a pair of 512MB SD/USB sticks.  However, you would probably get an even greater boost from using a pair of 1-2GB SD/USB stick for Ready Boost.  Lenovo is charging an extra $50 for 1GB Turbo Memory....  But for $35, I could get an extra 1GB stick of RAM from PriceWatch. 

[nop]

Haha  Microsoft always mess things up.  Average buyers and salesperson will have no clues about this complex permutation.  Bring me new Ubuntu update every six month for free.

[frblckstr1]

^ Just add more *real* RAM when needed, and give me Hibernate into flashmemory (when they get it upto speed)

Actually: I want instant-on for PC's like with PocketPC's!