Anybody know difference between Memory space and Storage space?

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Level 1

2 points

Anybody know difference between Memory space and Storage space?

I've got a question for all you Macbook Pro users out there. I am thinking of buying a Macbook Pro however the 2GB of memory confused me. The standard Macbook has 2GB of memory but 120GB of storage. So my queston is what the difference between memory and storage is. Does that mean i can't install any program larger than 2GB? or save/download more than 2GB of data? because if so that would seem redicilous. Someone please clarify this for me, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Windows XP

Posted on Sep 29, 2007 6:07 PM

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Answer 1

Niel

Level 10

741,923 points

Sep 29, 2007 6:15 PM in response to HAILandKILL

Storage space is the amount of space free on the hard disk, which is used to determine how much software and files you can put on the computer. RAM is a smaller, faster kind of space which is used to store data that is currently in use by applications and processes; if this runs out, some of the storage space will be used as additional RAM at the slower speed.

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Answer 2

jdelima

Level 3

515 points

Sep 30, 2007 11:04 PM in response to HAILandKILL

If you need to ask this question, then i would assume that you wont be using the machine you're thinking of purchasing of highly technical purposes? If this is the case, a 2GB RAM /120GB HDD will be more than enough for you!

RAM = Random Access Memory. they you run a program the code runs resident in RAM as it is faster memory. The drawback is that it is volatile so when the power goes out, everything in it is lost.

The 120GB storage space is where things are stored longer term (can survive power disruption) and where applications and downloads and files reside. So you can save up to that amount of data (not forgetting that the operating system itself will take up some of that space).

As a very basic example (very, very basic for those who may wish to pick holes in it!), RAM is concerned with how many applications can running at the same time, and storage space is concerned with how many applications can be installed at the same time.

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