Fourth-Generation iPod Touch Offers Only 256 MB of RAM

[MacRumors]

One of the key pieces of information coming out of iFixit's fourth-generation iPod touch teardown is that that the device carries only 256 MB of RAM, the same as the iPhone 3GS and iPad but less than the 512 MB found in the iPhone 4. iFixit's Kyle Wiens has confirmed the new iPod touch's RAM to us.

As noted by John Gruber, the reduced RAM compared to the iPhone 4 is one of a number of ways Apple has been able to cut costs and to keep the iPod touch at reasonable price points. Without carrier subsidies, the iPhone 4 hardware would be priced at nearly double that of the "equivalent" iPod touch models and thus Apple has had to make some decisions about how to maintain its pricing for the iPod touch line. Among other differences for the iPod touch: a significantly lower-resolution rear camera than the iPhone 4, a lack of in-plane switching (IPS) technology for the display despite the "Retina" resolution, and a lack of GPS.

Article Link: Fourth-Generation iPod Touch Offers Only 256 MB of RAM

 

[lewis82]

Sigh.

Oh well, not that bad after all. It's only an iPod

 

[UltimateSyn]

512MB couldn't be that much more expensive!

 

[wordoflife]

What the heck Apple? One more reason to keep my 3GS for games and stuff.

 

[Hiro1984UK]

At least now it's official.

 

[mattwolfmatt]

I predict HUGE negative numbers and comments. The article has it right, though. If it had 512, it would add significantly to the cost (and ultimately, what the consumer pays). Not what apple wants.

 

[Saberon]

It just keeps getting worse! Crappy camera, non IPS display, half the ram of iPhone 4.

 

[bmms8]

some people are just so dumb.. just stick to your 3rd gen... apple has introduced so many new features to the new ipod touch... be happy people.

 

[Beric]

It just keeps getting worse! Crappy camera, non IPS display, half the ram of iPhone 4.

Agreed.

The worst thing? I'm still planning on buying one.

 

[lewis82]

512MB couldn't be that much more expensive!

We're not talking about mass-produced DDR2 sticks, but rather custom made ram that must be built in the A4 package. I guess it adds one layer per chip, hence adding much more than the cost of the chip itself.

 

[dZp]

It just keeps getting worse! Crappy camera, non IPS display, half the ram of iPhone 4.

No phone...

 

[Kidniki]

Its worse than you can imagine this thing is a marginal upgrade to the iTouch 3. I just fear for games that are made with the iPhone 4's specs in mind.

 

[timish]

Good,

the 256MB ram will extend the life of the 1st gen Ipad if newer hardware is coming out with the same RAM footprint.

Still doesn't make sense that neither Ipad or new Ipod touch came with more than 256MB though.

 

[Kenndac]

It just keeps getting worse! Crappy camera, non IPS display, half the ram of iPhone 4.

And it's less than half the price of an unsubsidized iPhone 4! What a rip...

 

[TUD]

That seals it for me, I'm not going to upgrade even though I sold a new 3rd gen yesterday.

 

[azentropy]

It just keeps getting worse! Crappy camera, non IPS display, half the ram of iPhone 4.

and 1/2 the price of an unsubsidized iPhone 4... how dare they...

Still you would think there would be pricing room to maybe increase the ram in the versions with more storage.

 

[Gen]

None of you will benefit with 512mb of ram.
Only reason why the iP4 has more ram is because of the 720p video recording.
Don't forget, even with multitasking, iOS apps rely on 32mb of ram.

 

[Beric]

I keep telling myself I should be happy with my 3G and wait till a 5G.

And then I think about the high-res display...

 

[Dooger]

I predict HUGE negative numbers and comments.

You think?

 

[diamornte]

256 mb of ram in iPod4 and iPad but still no iMovie for iPad? What gives?

 

[alent1234]

Good,

the 256MB ram will extend the life of the 1st gen Ipad if newer hardware is coming out with the same RAM footprint.

Still doesn't make sense that neither Ipad or new Ipod touch came with more than 256MB though.

i'd have to guess that since CPU manufacturing yields aren't perfect, the iphone gets the top notch stuff. ipad and ipod get the chips with defects which means they have to disable circuitry

back in the day when the Pentium Pro first came out with cache on the CPU die, yields were very low due to defects

 

[briand05]

I went over to the apple store to check them out today, the screen is definitely somewhat inferior though to most people they won't look that different at normal viewing, black levels are definitely worse though but color seem about on par. It's still a big jump over the previous ipod touch screen just for the res increase.

 

[JPark]

What the heck Apple? One more reason to keep my 3GS for games and stuff.

Your 3GS has the same RAM and a slower processor.

 

[emulator]

No phone...

Sure, but they advertise it like it was a gaming warrior.

 

[JPark]

I keep telling myself I should be happy with my 3G and wait till a 5G.

And then I think about the high-res display...

I went from 3G to iPhone 4. HUGE improvement. Definitely worth the upgrade.