Apple Researching Flash Memory Technology

MacRumors · Nov 16, 2007, 12:27 PM

Hrmpf provides details about Apple's latest patent applications. This time, Apple has filed for nine patents related to Flash memory, memory controllers, circuit boards and their applications.

Quote:

This technology… may provide data storage in various portable devices, such as digital cameras, other image storing devices, portable audio devices, personal digital assistants (PDA), and digital video recorders, … desktop computers, servers, wireless routers, or embedded applications (e.g., automotive), particularly in situations where quick access to data is desirable.

Apple, of course, is using significant amounts of Flash memory for their iPod and iPhone product lines, but rumors have suggested that Apple will be using Flash memory in upcoming Mac notebooks.

Article Link

lofight · Nov 16, 2007, 12:28 PM

Intresting... one of the hundred patents..

TheSpecialist · Nov 16, 2007, 12:34 PM

Quite interesting in my opinion. I wonder how they will use the flash memory if they use it in Macbooks.

lofight · Nov 16, 2007, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSpecialist

Quite interesting in my opinion. I wonder how they will use the flash memory if they use it in Macbooks.

or, how much they will put in of it?

nigrunze · Nov 16, 2007, 12:56 PM

They're probably going to have it be optional in the MacBook Pro. The Dell XPS M1330 has an option for a 64 GB Solid State Drive instead of a hard drive.

Costs $1000 extra. But it does have no moving parts though, so it's super reliable.

TheSpecialist · Nov 16, 2007, 01:25 PM

More of in a way, will it be used for booting, or applications.. I wonder...

DMann · Nov 16, 2007, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nigrunze

They're probably going to have it be optional in the MacBook Pro. The Dell XPS M1330 has an option for a 64 GB Solid State Drive instead of a hard drive.

Costs $1000 extra. But it does have no moving parts though, so it's super reliable.

The high cost has been the primary reason for the delay. Sure hope Apple can partner in development of PMC memory, which blows flash out of the water:

'Programmable-metallization-cell (PMC) memory, or nano-ionic memory could start replacing flash memory in 18 months'

http://advancednano.blogspot.com/200...-cell-pmc.html

Manatee · Nov 16, 2007, 02:00 PM

I'm hoping to see high-end notebooks with the OS (at least the part needed for startup) in flash (SSD), and a big disc drive for everything else -- at least until solid-state gets cheap enough to replace spinning drives entirely.

I presume they'd have to engineer the OS and boot process to make the most of this idea so that it boots very quickly.

dvkid · Nov 16, 2007, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manatee

I presume they'd have to engineer the OS and boot process to make the most of this idea so that it boots very quickly.

It isn't likely much would have to be done to it. An editor over at Engadget posted on his personal blog a video of the same 64 GB SSD in the Dell product line being placed in a MacBook Pro. The system booted in 22 seconds. There are times my MBP takes longer than that to wake up from sleep :P

I'm intrigued by the part that mentions the use of the SSDs in cars. They sure beat HDDs due to all the shaking and rattling around, but how do they fare in heat I wonder. I'm still hoping for some sort of "iCar" in-dash/headrest multimedia system from Apple. With a UI similar to the iPhone/Touch, but also controllable via paddles on the steering wheel. Hmm...

That-Is-Bull · Nov 16, 2007, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvkid

I'm still hoping for some sort of "iCar" in-dash/headrest multimedia system from Apple. With a UI similar to the iPhone/Touch, but also controllable via paddles on the steering wheel. Hmm...

http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/16/i...oped-by-apple/

Wouldn't that be kind of distracting and hard to control while driving though?

Manatee · Nov 16, 2007, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by That-Is-Bull

http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/16/i...oped-by-apple/

Wouldn't that be kind of distracting and hard to control while driving though?

Probably no more than applying makeup or shaving.

Rocketman · Nov 16, 2007, 05:16 PM

Most of the posts in this thread are very backward-looking. "How will they use this in desktops and laptops?"

My forward leaning perspective is all those features of servers, DVR's, routers, etc., etc., will flow into the handtop arena in a couple of short years and while we may have devices with 4x the screen real estate of the iPhone of today, we will displace most laptops and desktops with personal supercomputers that "do it all". Large peripherals will be wireless of course.

The wide screen experience will be a pair of glasses you have on your belt when you need them, and the rest will be very iPhone like.

Prepare to be "stunned". (Hi Steve

)

Rocketman

Nov 16, 2007, 12:28 PM	#2
lofight macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Antwerp, Belgium	Intresting... one of the hundred patents.. __________________ 17" iMac Intel Core 2 Duo, 2GHz, 1GB RAM, 149.05 GB HD ; 4GB iPod nano 2nd gen blue

Nov 16, 2007, 12:56 PM	#5
nigrunze macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada	They're probably going to have it be optional in the MacBook Pro. The Dell XPS M1330 has an option for a 64 GB Solid State Drive instead of a hard drive. Costs $1000 extra. But it does have no moving parts though, so it's super reliable. __________________ 20" Aluminum iMac, 2.4 Ghz, 4GB RAM, 320GB HDD - Mac OS X v10.5 "Leopard"

Nov 16, 2007, 02:00 PM	#8
Manatee macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Washington DC	I'm hoping to see high-end notebooks with the OS (at least the part needed for startup) in flash (SSD), and a big disc drive for everything else -- at least until solid-state gets cheap enough to replace spinning drives entirely. I presume they'd have to engineer the OS and boot process to make the most of this idea so that it boots very quickly. __________________ Peter -- MBP 13" & 15", MBA 1G SSD, iPhone 3GS, 3G nano

Nov 16, 2007, 05:16 PM	#12
Rocketman macrumors 68020 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Claremont, CA	Most of the posts in this thread are very backward-looking. "How will they use this in desktops and laptops?" My forward leaning perspective is all those features of servers, DVR's, routers, etc., etc., will flow into the handtop arena in a couple of short years and while we may have devices with 4x the screen real estate of the iPhone of today, we will displace most laptops and desktops with personal supercomputers that "do it all". Large peripherals will be wireless of course. The wide screen experience will be a pair of glasses you have on your belt when you need them, and the rest will be very iPhone like. Prepare to be "stunned". (Hi Steve ) Rocketman __________________ Think Different-ly! Looking for an iPhone dev with way too much time on her hands for BASIC programs I have.

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Nov 16, 2007, 12:34 PM	#3
TheSpecialist macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: The Netherlands, Europe	Quite interesting in my opinion. I wonder how they will use the flash memory if they use it in Macbooks.

Nov 16, 2007, 01:25 PM	#6
TheSpecialist macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: The Netherlands, Europe	More of in a way, will it be used for booting, or applications.. I wonder...