NX80V ? how much RAM?

[galindenba]

I just got an NX80V.
It's supposed to have 32 MB of available RAM.
When I tapped on the "info...." tab to see how much memory there was, it showed 15.5 MB of 16 MB available, only 16 MB of RAM in the unit.
Is my unit defective or is this 32MB claim false advertising on Sony's part?

Thanks

galindenba@cs.com

[inomad]

you can use jackflash for more memory

[anitanium]

sony is "sort of" false advertising
32MB of ram IS correct
however, only 16mb is actually usable..
the other 16mb is for "heap memory"
sort of similar to computer ram, where info is stored temporarily so that programs run faster

netfront is an excellent example, since it uses the heap memory to browse webpages

[leo_clie]

Is it really so, that 16MB Heap is available?

E.g. RescoViewer shows in the Infoscreen only 8 MB Heap. Mapopolis calculates wrongly the freeeee memory with Heap + actual free RAM => Heap is never greater than 8MB.

So, which kind of program shows a Heap of 16 MB? Problably an advertisment program;)

[anitanium]

some programmers do not require the extra memory in their programs, while others need it

[Marre]

It's 8mb heap + 8mb "embedded" memory (supposedly works internally with the CPU). Actually, it's just one of the most sensible explanation that I've heard of, but I haven't seen a definitive resource on this.

[leo_clie]

Probably instead of 'embedded' it should be 'Cache'? Or 'non-exisiting' Cache;)

Correct me, if I'm wrong, but as far as I know (and I'm not a developer) the heap is created dynamically whenever there is storage space required. This is done in your regular mem, but on the NX80 there is this extra mem of 8MB available. Would be really interesting to see, how a programm could work without heap.

[Marre]

It's really called "embedded", but not much explanation. As I said, it was never in any definitive resource.

Btw, most palm OS programs don't use heap memory, or any extra memory at all (whether regular or heap) apart from the space where it is stored. Only a few use the heap, such as NetFront, Picsel, ...

Before the TJ, Sony didn't know how to deal with more than 16mb so they partitioned it around. The ARM processor requires some memory for itself so the 16mb models typically have some 11mb available. The NX80 has 32mb so 8mb was allocated for the ARM, a full 16mb for user (as much as they can deal with), and the remaining 8mb as heap.

That's how I undertstand it.

[sebring]

The whole issue is caused by Sony's decision to use Palm OS5 instead of OS5.2.1. Palm OS5 only supports 16MB of RAM, while OS5.2.1 supports up to 128MB of RAM. Also, from what I understand, the 16MB of heap supposedly enables NetFront to run much more smoothly.

[Galindenba]

Thanks to all for the replies. That certainly explains it!!

I was upgrading from an NX70V because I needed more RAM. SIGH! Very disappointing!!!

As usual Sony just doesn't get it. Why they had to lock programs such as Netfront and Clie mail (Which only supports POP 3.) I have no clue. Sort of like Bill Gates and Internet Explorer in my opinion.

As far as Jack Flash goes, I did go looking for it, but according to the Brayder Tech web site (The programs developer.), Jack Flash is only out in Beta for OS 5 with very limited capacity...... like 64K. What good is that?

[sebring]

Originally posted by Galindenba
Thanks to all for the replies. That certainly explains it!!

I was upgrading from an NX70V because I needed more RAM. SIGH! Very disappointing!!!

As usual Sony just doesn't get it. Why they had to lock programs such as Netfront and Clie mail (Which only supports POP 3.) I have no clue. Sort of like Bill Gates and Internet Explorer in my opinion.

As far as Jack Flash goes, I did go looking for it, but according to the Brayder Tech web site (The programs developer.), Jack Flash is only out in Beta for OS 5 with very limited capacity...... like 64K. What good is that?

Actually JackFlash 3.0b11 is very stable and makes 15.5mb of ROM available on the US version of the NX80. There is a more recent beta, but b11 works fine, so why fix what isn't broken.:D

[anitanium]

the one you got was probaby a demo download
that only allows a certain amount to work

[galindenba]

Unfortunately, that demo download b14 to be specific is the only one the Brayder website has. I'll try it anyway just for grins.

All I want is a Palm machine with 32 MB usable RAM or more and built in WIFI.......Bluetooth built in would be nice, but I not piggy. I don't want a UX50. Screen is too small.

Is that so wrong??!!!

[anitanium]

the TH55 sounds perfect for you
32MB of USABLE ram
with like 9 megs of heap or something ( i don't recall)
integrated WiFi
and same camera as nx70

[meir87]

And if he gets a euro one he can have his BT as well :)