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Intel has tried to make the last version of its Turbo Memory do some things that Windows Vista doesn't seem capable of: it can transparently optimize Windows for the use of flash memory storage. At the Flash Memory Summit in Santa Clara, California, the chip giant will be demonstrating the newest version of Turbo Memory accelerating application performance in Windows when based on flash memory.There is a "dashboard" that Intel offers for Windows, which allows users to have control over the
applications and files that are loaded into the Intel Turbo Memory cache, which is said to result in performance boosts. The company named this "User pinning".
Pinning profiles can be created and customized by users in order to pin applications and files that fit the needs of a certain activity, says Intel. According to the company, the applications that will benefit most from this include data intensive programs, gaming, digital media editing and productivity software.
Through the latest version of Turbo Memory, Intel tries to deal with a problem that Windows has for a long time now, namely its inability to use the flash storage devices to their full performance. "There are issues related to taking full advantage of the speed of a (flash drive)," said Troy Winslow, marketing manager for the NAND Products Group at Intel, in an interview at the Flash Memory Summit.
According to Avi Cohen, managing partner at Avian Securities, the operating system should have it as an integral part. "The more interesting way is to have it built into the operating system," said Cohen. "I don't think it gains much traction because I don't think users want to sit there and start selecting what goes where," he added. "It was a valiant effort by Intel to accelerate the move toward solid state on PC."
Winslow thinks that, since Intel "has shipped million of units" of Turbo Memory, there is a high probability that some notebook makers would integrate it into high-end lines.
We should notice that Windows Vista does include a feature named "ReadyBoost", which is stated in the Microsoft documentation to be able to "use storage space on some removable media devices, such as USB flash drives, to speed up your computer". The "Windows Help and Support" includes this documentation as part of all the copies of Vista.
According to the Microsoft documentation, "When you insert a compatible device, the AutoPlay dialog box will offer you the option to speed up your system using Windows ReadyBoost".
Other news in the field reveals that Intel announced a new Z-P230 Parallel ATA (PATA) SSD drive featuring 4GB and 8GB capacities. A 16GB version of the drive is expected to come in September. The 4GB version will cost $25 for 1,000 unit quantities, while the 8GB one will cost $45 for 1,000 unit quantities.
source : softpedia.com