The 8GB RAM Laptop Era Begins
If you've been paying really close attention, you noticed Dell quietly began to sell Windows Vista 64 bit Precision M6300 workstation class laptops. They've actually been selling them for a while. What's new is that they are shipping them with Windows Vista x64 and 8GB of RAM. As you can see at right, this machine doesn't come cheap.
Or if you have some real bucks to blow, checkout the PC MicroWorks Edge.
Now you might be asking yourself how much those rare 4GB SoDIMMs cost, and where to get your hands on some. I have good news. A number of memory makers are getting ready to start shipping the 4GB wonders.
If my information is true, the 4GB sticks will be about half the price of what the 2GB sticks were when they released. As you'll recall, when 2GB sticks first started shipping, they were about $1000 each. Not many people bought them at that price. We certainly didn't. We bought a second laptop instead.
If you dig around on the grid you won't find them just yet, but they are coming. Dell obviously has a supply. You won't see them in the accessories area just yet. At least I could not find them.
My information indicates the street price for a 4GB DDR2-667 SoDIMM will be in the $400-550 range. Looks like Dell is offering them on the Precision M6300 at the top end of that scale. Surprise Surprise.
When?
If the information is accurate, in the next few weeks. This is good timing for my team. We are penniless and at the end of our fiscal year end budget. But a whole new budget starts July 1. I know what I want for Christmas.
What on earth do I need 8GB of RAM in a laptop for? Virtual Machines of course. Just think, I could run approximately eight instances of Windows Vista at one time. A Vista Fest. Obviously I'm more interested in a virtualization environment that includes a broader portfolio of our products. Windows Server 2008, Hyper-V, System Center Virtual Machine Manager, System Center Configuration Manager, System Center Operations Manager, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Exchange, etc. all running on a single laptop.
Think I'm crazy? Yea, probably. But by doubling the amount of memory, we certainly have the ability to create some fascinating configurations to mimic very real solutions. Unless you are pushing the virtualization limits, or have a very advanced workstation requirement, you are unlikely to need 8GB of RAM. But for those of us that do, it's about time.
[UPDATE for 5/28] Kingston is now selling the 4GB sticks. See http://shop.kingston.com/partsinfo.asp?ktcpartno=KTL-TP667/4G. Hope you have some bucks if you want them right now.
