ZDnet reports that HP has stepped up and called Intel and Microsoft out.
Intel’s latest technology buzzword “Turbo Memory” is an extra 1GB of memory added onto the latest Centrino line of laptop motherboards. This memory is split into two 512MB partitions of space and used by Microsoft Vista to improve read/write access to hard drives and often used data that would normally be stored in RAM.
So what’s the rub? Intel is charging $50(US) more for this 1GB of storage. And add to the fact that it’s a Vista only technology. Linux and XP users are stuck paying for more crap they won’t use (or frankly – don’t need).
HP has gone on record by stating that a user can spend $5 on a 1GB SD Card or thumb drive and get the exact same performance. They also found, unsurprisingly, that if they add an additional 1GB of RAM to the system (at a similar cost to intel’s cost of Turbo Memory) – they exceed the performance of a unit without the extra ram and 1GB of readyboost.
I, for one, applaud HP for sticking up for its customers or at least saving them a few bucks on this wishy washy technology – unlike Acer, Dell, and Toshiba have already drank the kool-aid.