No Flash In The Pan
Sydney Morning Herald
Monday November 27, 2006
Question: What technology has been around since 1984, is as common as dirt and as cheap as chips, yet forms a key element in Microsoft's new Vista operating system? Answer: Flash memory. It's long provided non-volatile (you don't lose data when the power's off) storage for devices such as digital cameras and mobile phones. And when you can buy a 4GB USB 2.0 drive for $120, burning CDs to transport big files is a thing of the past. Vista uses three technologies - SuperFetch, ReadyBoost and ReadyDrive - to cut response times. SuperFetch's "smart" functionality helps ReadyBoost retrieve data on flash memory faster than data on the hard disk. ReadyDrive refers to the hybrid flash-hard disk drives that will be needed to run Vista Premium on laptops.
© 2006 Sydney Morning Herald
