DIFFERENT MEMORY CARDS

The 95LX can read/write to SRAM (RAM) cards just like you would write information to, or retrieve information from, a floppy disk. SRAM cards have batteries inside of the card that apply power to the memory circuit. Power (a small amount) must be applied to the memory cells in order for the cells to retain the data written to them. SRAM technology has been around since the beginning of time (well, maybe not that long).

Flash ROM memory technology is new, cheaper, and due to decline in price even further at a very rapid pace. The current problem with flash memory and the 95LX is that in order to "write" data to the flash card you must have access to 12 volts (the 95LX is a 3 volt system). At this time, the only way to use flash in the 95LX is if the card has been programmed with data by some other system. The flash card is then a "read only" card, you can not add data to the card.

In the future (next year) you will see 3 volt flash cards (at a premium price to start out with). Your choice of technologies depends on what you will be using the card for, but a card that is read only seems like a real waste.

Tim McCloskey

CompuServe ID: [75230,1026]