CAMM memory preview: The Dell SODIMM revolution
notebookcheck.net
notebookcheck.net
It's a proprietary format using pre existing tech (which reads like dell doing half the work to try and lock consumers and manufacturers into some long haul royalty bs).
It doesn't have a fixed size format (varies based on capacity).
Being faster than the previous gen when increases in perf are the norm isn't revolutionary. If anything because the tech is proprietary and just an amalgamation of pre existing stuff it's a step backwards.
2/5 for dell, they could have done better.
They already do that
> And I know of no one who ever upgraded their laptop RAM
That doesn't mean those people doesn't exists. Actually I recently bought a 8GB SO-DIMM module so I can have a little more breathing room. After I replace the module I owuld have 12Gb RAM. If I could replace both modules I would did it, but 1 IS soldered 4Gb module and I can do nothing with it. An I have T440 sitting next to me which was upgraded to 8Gb because it's default 4Gb is not... much usable in 2022, along with 5400RPM HDD, which of course was replaced to SSD too.
EDIT:
> still just standard DDR right? Just a different connector?
Standard DDR chips. It's a different connector which allows for a faster modules to be used, because a current SO-DIMM has too much too long lanes which are very succeptible for interference:
>> More specifically, RAM speeds greater than 6400 MT/s are not possible with the current standard. This ceiling is becoming a problem on very high-end laptops and workstations while most consumer-level laptops have yet to reach the limit. Naturally, more laptops will hit the ceiling in the years to come as RAM speeds become faster and faster.
>> It’s worth noting that CAMM utilizes the same DRAM ICs as found on SODIMM modules but with a different interface to the PCB. Thus, it is this interface that makes CAMM special and the heart of the patents under Dell.
You can read about it here: https://www.pcworld.com/article/693366/dell-defends-its-cont...
How thin your notebook should be? Especially if it's not a low powered used once in a while\emergency one, but an everyday workhorse?
I updated my previous comment, take a look there.
Designing any laptop is an effort in solving constraints as best as possible. Of course if you suddenly create a few mm somewhere it might allow you to redesign the laptop to use those extra mm. It has nothing to do whether memory or fans share the same footprint.
> laptops aren't short of space.
Of course they are. Any device that is designed to be as portable as possible is short of space. You can obviously see that in the components used. 15 inch laptops can have much more powerful CPUs and GPUs just because they have more space. If laptops weren't short of space we'd have the most powerful laptops in the smallest form factors with essentially infinite battery power.
Then you need a thicker, not thinner one. More vertical space - more space for the heatsink - more heatsink efficiency.
But the other comment is right, nor SO-DIMM, nor CAMM would share the space with heatsink/fan/blower.
Eg look at this ultraportable [0] inner space. The whole motherboard with CPU, PCI Wi-Fi card, north and south bridge and 4 memory chip takes space of roughly a CD-ROM drive.
If you could see the whole notebook you would see what the whole notebook consists of two parts - one is the ODD, other is mobo. And this is a notebook from 2006. We can do compact notebooks for years, it's not a problem to make small, light, thin notebooks. The only problem is making light and powerful notebooks, but they can't be thin by design, because more power - bigger battery - bigger case both for battery and (usually) for a bigger screen. But in 99% of time you wouldn't notice the difference between 18.6mm and 19.6mm.
[0] http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-auBQuafSbis/UN0ZNV_ED2I/AAAAAAAAAz...