That's a really good point; I'm suspecting that is why they added the extra 512MB. Motorola probably wouldn't just throw money down the drain like that. The UI overlay is probably pretty hefty, memory-usage wise.
Do you think 512MB of ram is an issue?
- Thread starter Killjoy
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That's a really good point; I'm suspecting that is why they added the extra 512MB. Motorola probably wouldn't just throw money down the drain like that. The UI overlay is probably pretty hefty, memory-usage wise.
Raptor007
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I have read on other forums that the extra memory for the Atrix is most likely there to support the netbook part of the device. Its needs more memory since it has a second platform that requires it.
I have to agree now with the others that with much faster DDR memory and better memory management we will be fine.
I have to agree now with the others that with much faster DDR memory and better memory management we will be fine.
Not to mention the fact that because Android is Linux based, it's very efficient at handling the memory it does have available.
Preach2k
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No!!! The only reason why the Atrix has 1Gig of Ram is because it docks to a Notebook and works as a PC. The phone alone will be 512MB just like the Bionic. It uses the other 512MB of Ram for the Notebook part the is always running in the background. This is why the Atrix has 1Gig of ram. Now the Bionic will have the Car Dock and HDMI Dock that the DX has upon it's release...
I actually completely forgot that it was equipped with DDR2 RAM. I agree that it makes the issue of 512MB's even more moot.
That makes alot of sense. Which means everyone will ignore it, to further their ***** session.
flighinhigh
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I was hoping the Atrix was coming to VZW and not att. I rely like the laptop doc, then i would not get a tablet. It depend on what accessories come with the bionic if I will upgrade this time. My DX is working just fine.
First the atrex has only 512ram. 512 is designed for the dock. Second dual core is overrated as of now I would much rather see android use hardware accelarator
Is there any actual evidence that shows that the phone part will only see 512mb? Or is that just what people are saying. A source would be nice.
Preach2k
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Motorola Atrix for AT&T: Hands On | News & Opinion | PCMag.com
The docking application is ALWAYS running so it's ready to go for the instant on feature when it docks. It's living in RAM. how much RAM, no one really will know until live ones get out in the world, but there is RAM usage, probably large RAM usage.
Reading through these forums the last couple days I have come to conclude some people just cannot be pleased ever. Yes, the Atrix is a sweet phone. Nope, it's not currently available for VZW (although it may be). For those who have to be able to use their smartphone as a netbook, AT&T is currently the only option. For the rest of the users who do not need to use their smartphone as a netbook, the Bionic is better in every spec sans total RAM (and we honestly have no idea how much RAM will be needed).
One thing I am pretty certain of though is that at some point people will figure out how to install more programs on the Desktop OS side of the Atrix and as soon as they do, everyone will be complaining about the lack of RAM in the Atrix. Load a few full fledged Linux apps up on the Atrix, keep Android running as it needs to and RAM starvation will ensue quite rapidly.
I'd note though that the Atrix's "4G" is HSPA+ and not LTE. At least I've not seen LTE used in conjunction with Atrix.
That's unlikely. Android can and will use more than 512 MB RAM. MT4G is an example of that.
That's not to say they didn't put more RAM in to support the docking aspect because I believe they did. To effectively run in docked mode where you have full phone functionality as well as the Linux based environment for the Mozilla browser 512 MB wouldn't cut it for a smooth experience. So they Bumped up the RAM for a smooth docked experience and as a side effect you have more RAM for Android as well.
Edit: The only way Android wouldn't be able to see the extra RAM is if the dock environment was run independently from Android
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I know this is slightly off topic, but it is a Moto question and I saw that somebody mentioned it earlier in this thread so... I think I understand what the boot loader does but what is the benefit of it being unlocked versus locked? Also, is this something that can be worked around via rooting? I'm a long time Blackberry user on Verizon and plan to go Android (and the Bionic looks pretty enticing) in the near future but I see that many people have a problem with this. And maybe someone could also explain why everyone hates this "Moto Blur" so much?
No you don't have to worry. First of all, this isn't just 512 MB of normal RAM. Motorola managed to put DDR2 RAM in. Bionic. Even though it would be nice to have 1GB, I've never been 'out of ram' on any phone with Froyo or better. Memory management is really good and there is usually about 200MB free at any given time.
nobody knows if the bootloader is locked or not at this point. probably best not to speculate on that.
No. The docking app is not always running from what I've seen. In fact, I've seen them have to launch it (meaning it was not launched before). The app is not killed when unplugged, though you can close it, either in app, or at the worst, manage applications in settings. It does not start on boot from what I've seen. That also does not explain where the other person saw that only 512mb would be available to the phone.
Not saying the bionic is bad, but how is it better in every spec?
Processor? Same
Screen? Preference (I'd like 4.3 in the atrix, but oh well. Others prefer 4.)
Ram Speed? Same
Ram Quantity? Atrix
Battery? Same
Camera? Unknown, though the Bionic has higher res fwiw.
Carrier? Depends on area, though I'd give LTE the edge
In addition, the Atrix has Gorilla glass (not listed on Bionic at least that I've seen, might just have been overlooked), the Atrix has a scanner, an FM radio (also not under bionic, also a spec that might just have been overlooked), same HDMI, the Atrix has a 2nd mic (yet a third unlisted but possibly overlooked spec on the bionic). So no, I'm not saying the bionic is bad, it's great. It trades blows with the Atrix, wins some loses some. To say it wins them all but the ram quantity is an uninformed comment.
Comparison
Do you run linux? I do every day. I have Mint installed on my desktop as well as my 1Gb ram 1.6Ghz netbook (probably slower than this phone). Mint is Ubuntu based, a Distro that is well known for not being the slimmest on the ram. So with this 1Gb, running more than a few "full linux apps" I have very little problem. In fact, I am playing with Arch on my netbook, a much slimmer OS, and see very little improvement in speed.
So lets assume Android takes a massive 100mb of ram by it's lonesome (no apps running) and this is a decently slimmed down linux distro so I'll but it in the middle of my Arch and Mint install in ram use so 200mb. That leaves with with 700mb of ram for apps. Not something to complain about, my Mint install uses about 300mb when first booted with a few select apps running in the background. My Arch uses about 100mb. It is plenty fast, and the slow downs happen in the processor, not the ram (I don't know that I've hit 1 full gb of use since I switched from XP, even with many chrome tabs open or image editing). I suspect we will see a similiar story here. The T2 will likely be the limiting factor. People are used to windows taking a full GB by itself in ram. That is not the case in linux.
This is correct. It probably won't be as fast as a loaded LTE network, though that hasn't been tested yet. It will however probably be more widely spread, especially at first.
Don't worry about the bootloader or motoblur. People are just being over dramatic and hopping on the band wagon of haters. Blur was motos way horrible UI not so many years ago. It was horrible but it has since evolved and isn't to shabby though it's moot because a custom launcher such as ADW or what I use launcher pro plus completely eliminate motoblur. As far as the boot loader it's to prevent the loading of custom roms in simple terms but again becomes moot because the devs will find a way around it. Everyone threw a fit when the Droid X released with the locked loader and now look at what a beast it is and how many people love it. Its unlocked rooted and flashed just like the rest. And this 512mb whining is the same concept, over reaction and people just jumping on a bandwagon. 512mb is plenty and will not hinder it. Especially if it's ddr2
Best response on the DDR RAM I could find was:
Answers.com - What is the difference between SDRAM and DDR RAM
looks like it will run close to twice as fast. Either way, if this was vanilla Android it would DEFINITELY be my next phone. I will have to wait and see with the MotoBlur.
Answers.com - What is the difference between SDRAM and DDR RAM
looks like it will run close to twice as fast. Either way, if this was vanilla Android it would DEFINITELY be my next phone. I will have to wait and see with the MotoBlur.
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