Turns out the data collection is suspect, for one thing.
You mean garbage collection?
(system needs to occasionally check if memory allocated is still in use and if not, free it up for use by whoever needs it, among other things)
XP is probably keeping memory free for new programs. If memory is all allocated, when the user launches it will seem to take too long and think that the system is running slower. Which it does anyway eventually , but intent is important, no?
The other point I'd make is that it's not a bad thing at all for a computer to use most of its available RAM. If it does, that means it has been configured correctly for the tasks its called upon to perform.
Now now remember when the user launches "Hippo Ballet" he wants he needs to watch it with no latency!
But really if garbage collection is the issue, then that means there is memory sitting there not being used for anything - was allocated before, program ended or stopped using the memory and you have wasted space. Win 7 may be allowing use of more RAM at one time, but space is being used worse than the physical packaging of some CDs and DVDs.
BTW, on your Mac, start up a bunch of programs (maybe a few Office apps) and then open Activity Monitor - view activity. Interesting how it uses real and virtual memory. |
