MisterWebNet

The eternal debate and confusion for the average computer user revolves around deciding whether to get more processing power, or get more RAM. Which is best really depends what you plan on doing with your spanking brand new computer. But those days could soon be past.

Hewlett Packard (HP) have developed memristors- a type of device that is capable of both logical operations and storage. Which means the processor and memory could be in one unit. Because they retain data even when no power is flowing through them you could in theory pull the plug on your computer with no data loss. Simply plug it back in and everything should be as you left it. In theory at least! Its not known yet if memristors will do away with hard drives altogether in the future but for a start they will replace the RAM components of computers. Think of it as meshing the processor and RAM into one very expensive piece of kit.

It's thought memristors will replace transistors in computers. HP said their immediate goal was to build an alternative to flash memory that you find in cameras, phones and flash drives. The great thing about memristors is that you can fit an inordinate amount of them on a tiny surface by stacking them one on top of the other. So you get an immediate jump of twice the power (at least) in the same sized component.

Oh, and they guy that first proposed memristors over 40 years ago - Professor Leon Chua - said they could be used to mimic the brains synapses and axons. No idea what that means, but presumably we're a step closer to an intelligent bot. As is the day I buy a 12 guage shotgun.