Registered: Aug 2001
Location:
Posts: 27

quote:

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Originally posted by Tonewiz2k


If the speed issue was just a case of the OS having to deal with more RAM that wouldn't explain why SisInfo is telling me that the chip is clocked at 28Mhz.

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The Java Disciple

Registered: Dec 2001
Location: Holly Springs, NC
Posts: 124

Reply from Handspring

Well... here it is. Looks like it is the memory.

Handspring Rep - "The only difference between the Visor Edge and the Visor Pro is the memory
chip. The Visor Edge uses DRAM memory while the Visor Pro uses the SDRAM."

It looks like Handspring started using SDRAM in the Neo and the Pro.

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"Take me where my future's lyin', St. Elmo's Fire." - John Parr

Registered: Aug 2001
Location:
Posts: 27

Re: Reply from Handspring

quote:

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Originally posted by Tonewiz2k
Well... here it is. Looks like it is the memory.

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Hey.. whadaya know about that... I was almost right...

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The Java Disciple

Registered: Dec 2001
Location: Holly Springs, NC
Posts: 124

Kudos on the call concerning the RAM. Is SDram cheaper than Dram?

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"Take me where my future's lyin', St. Elmo's Fire." - John Parr

Registered: Jan 2002
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Posts: 10

Hey y'all. I don't have a pro or an edge (which makes you wonder why I have chimed in...) but I was wondering if anyone has run pocketmark on eithor unit. It can be found here: http://web.tiscali.it/fcarello/files/pm021.zip



I ran it on my Neo, and it is noticibly slower than the edge or the platinum (those are listed on his page). I also tried sysinfo and got the 28 MHz result. I have just written Handspring with the comments below and I will keep you all updated if I get a response.

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I recently upgraded from a Deluxe to a Neo and have been a happy Handspring customer for some time now. Recently I was reading some comments in an online forum (at www.visorcentral.com) and came across something that upset me. People were complaining that the Neo and the Pro are slow, even compared with the Edge which is essentially identical. I understand that the Edge uses a slightly different ram than do the other units (my Neo included) but I decided to check on some benchmarks and processor speeds myself. I used sysinfo (availble from http://www.multimania.com/aldweb/usindex.htm) to check on the processor speed and I used pocketmark (availble from http://web.tiscali.it/fcarello/pocketmark.html) for benchmarking. The Neo was noticibly slower than the Edge and the Platinum when compared to posted scores on the pocketmark page, and even more disturbing, the speed reported by sysinfo was 28 MHz even though the box to my Neo clearly states that it is a 33 MHz product. Can you explain these discrepancies? I understand that sysinfo is not a Handspring endorsed product and that errors in the code may incorrectly report the processor speed, but I have not seen evidence to this effect.
Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Last edited by MrBook on 02-20-2002 at 05:41 AM

Registered: Aug 2001
Location:
Posts: 27

quote:

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Originally posted by Tonewiz2k
Is SDram cheaper than Dram?

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The Java Disciple

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 34

Pro vs. 615

Along the lines discussed here, do the Pro and the Clie 615 run at about the same speed? Both have 16Mb, not sure about the type.

Registered: Jul 2000
Location: Kona, Hawaii ,USA
Posts: 40

SDRAM vs. DRAM

From what I remember DRAM (Dynamic RAM) is like a chip that's always loosing its mind. It needs to be constantly refreshed for it to retain its memory, but it is pretty fast.

SRAM (Static RAM) retains its memory even if power to it is shut-off. Used in memory cards like SmartMedia, Compact Flash, etc. But it is slower than DRAM.

That could be the difference in Visor performance in regards to benchmarks. It could also be why the battery life is long in the Visor Pro since it doesn't need to waste energy refreshing the RAM chips.

Does that explanation seem plausible?

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Registered: Dec 2001
Location: Holly Springs, NC
Posts: 124

That sounds good to me. Although, does that mean the battery could drain in the Pro, or die on the Neo, without losing the contents of the RAM? I havn't been brave enough to try it. I don't feel like this is the case though, or else I don't think Handspring would have bothered making a 16meg backup springboard for the Pro. The refreshing of the memory does make sense though.

- I wish I payed more attention to all these different acronyms.

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"Take me where my future's lyin', St. Elmo's Fire." - John Parr

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Richmond, VA, USA
Posts: 151

SDRAM

Actually, SDRAM is different than SRAM (SDRAM is not static), and SDRAM is faster than DRAM, so it couldn't be the memory. Unless the OS somehow doesn't work properly with SDRAM?

Registered: Jul 2000
Location:
Posts: 3034

Re: SDRAM

quote:

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Originally posted by na2rboy
Actually, SDRAM is different than SRAM (SDRAM is not static),

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Registered: Jan 2002
Location:
Posts: 10

It still doesn't explain why sysinfo thinks my Neo runs at 28 MHz, only 85% of what is should run at. I may get some answers today. Handspring called me yesterday and left a message on my answering machine. They gave me a phone number and a case number and I am supposed to call them back. We will see.

Registered: Jan 2002
Location: Malaysia
Posts: 13

oh well....could be due to da extra RAM u know?
maybe if ya loading up too much stuff in there?

I dunno...personally I agree with whoever said if u r a power user, opt for da pro, if u want in....get the edge! = )

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-xol-

Registered: Jan 2002
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Posts: 16

In Computers, SDRAM is faster than DRAM. It doesn't make sense that handspring would choose a better memory for the pro only to have it run slower than when using the older DRAM. And I don't think it's the extra memory in the pro that makes it slower as the neo with 8mb is just as slow as the pro, at least mine and the other few I've played with in the store.

I heard some neo's come with SDRAM and some with DRAM, so some run slower, what's up with that? I wonder if they have the same thing with the pro's, maybe some are fast and some are slow.