Macenstein

Posted by Helper Monkey

Sources have confirmed that Apple does indeed plan to use the Robson technology created by Intel in its new line of Intel-based laptops and desktop machines.

What’s Robson?
Robson utilizes flash memory to store specific aspects of the operating system and frequently used applications. Since flash memory can access data substantially faster than traditional hard drives, computers can boot, wake from sleep, and load applications much faster when using Robson. In addition, flash memory can be accessed without nearly the same power consumption penalty of traditional memory, which can in many cases significantly increase notebook battery life, and reduce heat.

This past April, Microsoft and Samsung demoed a PC system using Robson. In those tests, a typical 4 hour notebook battery gained an extra 36 minutes of life using the technology. Reportedly, the goal is to at least double that by year’s end.

Earlier this week, CNN reported Apple scrapped plans for a joint US$3.8 billion investment plan in flash chip production with Samsung Electronics. The deal with Samsung was originally thought to be an investment by Apple to ensure a great deal on future flash memory chips for Apple’s flash-based iPod nano. However, sources have revealed to Macenstein there was more to this deal than just iPods. The flash chips Apple was interested in are NAND chips, which are indeed used in its popular MP3 player, but are also coincidentally the same type of chip needed for the implementation of Robson in notebooks and PCs.

While Apple has backed out of this particular deal for flash chips, it is reportedly still very actively looking around at other NAND chip manufacturers, such as Toshiba. By combining Robson with less power hungry Intel processors in upcoming notebooks, Apple hopes its new laptops will be some of the coolest running (and of course coolest looking) portables around. It seems next year’s Apple models will be some of the most advanced PCs available, as Apple uses the switch to Intel as an opportunity to embrace many new cutting edge technologies. More on those later.