Database Users

[Q] Lenovo TPT HDD and RAM memory lower than in spec

Hi,
I bought a Lenovo Thinkpad tabled with memory specifications of 1GB RAM and 16GB HDD. All nice, until I go in Settings and check at settings/applications/storage use/running and all which show a disappointing values of total memory ~550MB RAM (almost half...) and ~12GB (almost 25% less...).
For HDD, I can not accept that the rest of 4GB are hidden because are used by Android 3.1 or used by file system format. Even so, Lenovo should be honest and declare total memory against available memory even is "eaten" by various reasons.
For RAM, I can not find any explanation why I see only half.
Q1-Can somebody explain me if tablet is faulty or has a kind of manufacturing issue ?
Q2-Can somebody to check if his tablet has the same memory discrepancies versus manufacturer specifications ?
Thanks!

All tablet's have this "cheaty" way of listing specs. But if you buy a laptop and it says 200gb. You can be pretty sure that windows 7 or what ever is installed is taking up space. The same applies to RAM. While the system may come with 4gb ram, the system has "eaten" som of it.
So, I don't really see the complaint here?

siggehandf said:
All tablet's have this "cheaty" way of listing specs. But if you buy a laptop and it says 200gb. You can be pretty sure that windows 7 or what ever is installed is taking up space. The same applies to RAM. While the system may come with 4gb ram, the system has "eaten" som of it.
So, I don't really see the complaint here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
The specs will never match the actual available memory since there is always space allocated to system whether it be ram or hdd
Sent from my GALAXY NEXUS using Tapatalk

sorinutzu said:
For RAM, I can not find any explanation why I see only half.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's likely that the other half is being reserved as video memory.

Hi,
Thanks for reply. I've done a check on other tablets and they show the same lower memory than spec, except Asus 501 I think with ICS 4.
However, I think it should be specified total phisical memory and available memory.

sorinutzu said:
Hi,
Thanks for reply. I've done a check on other tablets and they show the same lower memory than spec, except Asus 501 I think with ICS 4.
However, I think it should be specified total phisical memory and available memory.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Total available ram will be different and much less than the specs on any Android or mobile device. The system uses memory to load OS and for graphics.
Also the memory space will be less formatted and with all the system apps.
Just like a formatted hard drive or ssd is less than spec.
I do not know why people still complain about these things it is pretty ignorant. Have you ever owned a computer, tablet or cell phone before?
Sent from my HTC Rezound

New Nexus10 shows total ram as 1.2gb via android assistant

New nexus 10 user here. came from an htc flyer. Anyways, android assistant shows total ram on my device as 1.2gb or so. Specs say thing has 2gb. Does any ones else's device report that or is that the way android assitant reports it? I am just wondering if i have a new device with ram issues. Also, with not much running, this things shows available ram like my Vivid (about 300gb or so ) and it is supposed to have 2x the amount of Ram.
Thanks for any insight.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk 2

What your seeing is correct. The Nexus 10 has 2GB of RAM on the motherboard, but 800MB of it is reserved specifically for the GPU. I still think it's kind of cheap marketing, but meh.
Before 4.2.2, only close to 400MB was reserved for the GPU, but apparently you could go past that limit in some cases, and it would cause userspace RAM fragmentation.

espionage724 said:
What your seeing is correct. The Nexus 10 has 2GB of RAM on the motherboard, but 800MB of it is reserved specifically for the GPU. I still think it's kind of cheap marketing, but meh.
Before 4.2.2, only close to 400MB was reserved for the GPU, but apparently you could go past that limit in some cases, and it would cause userspace RAM fragmentation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could copy that everytime a new user asks about this ram "issue", which isn't, since I saw you answered like 7 times? the same thing.

espionage724 said:
What your seeing is correct. The Nexus 10 has 2GB of RAM on the motherboard, but 800MB of it is reserved specifically for the GPU. I still think it's kind of cheap marketing, but meh.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not cheap marketing, laptop manufacturers have been doing this for ages with integrated video cards. It's a little deceptive but it's the norm for this. I the Galaxy Nexus also did it. I am not certain but I don't think any mobile device has dedicated video ram, I believe it just is not reported as missing.
The Galaxy Nexus shows as having 893mb of ram.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk HD

lKBZl said:
You could copy that everytime a new user asks about this ram "issue", which isn't, since I saw you answered like 7 times? the same thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there a problem with how I'm describing it? The Nexus 10 does have 2GB of RAM, with close to 800MB (I forget the exact amount but I know I reported it before) being reserved strictly for the GPU, and not userspace apps. I know it's not an "issue", but how I feel about it doesn't really mean too much at all though.
altimax98 said:
Not cheap marketing, laptop manufacturers have been doing this for ages with integrated video cards. It's a little deceptive but it's the norm for this. I the Galaxy Nexus also did it. I am not certain but I don't think any mobile device has dedicated video ram, I believe it just is not reported as missing.
The Galaxy Nexus shows as having 893mb of ram.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree it's kind of normal, but it's how much is missing that still bothers me. The Galaxy Nexus is said to have 1GB of RAM, and if what you say is true, you're missing only a tiny bit over 100MB (which, is nothing imo). The Nexus 10 on the other hand is missing nearly half the advertised amount (not literally "missing" but not usable under normal conditions).
I'm pretty sure most laptop GPU's don't take "that" much RAM either when it's not dedicated (most I've seen was 512MB shared video memory, on laptops containing 4GB of RAM; very small amount really)

espionage724 said:
What your seeing is correct. The Nexus 10 has 2GB of RAM on the motherboard, but 800MB of it is reserved specifically for the GPU. I still think it's kind of cheap marketing, but meh.
Before 4.2.2, only close to 400MB was reserved for the GPU, but apparently you could go past that limit in some cases, and it would cause userspace RAM fragmentation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the more i know and read about the n10 the more i feel being ripped off

Ripped of? For around $400-$500, you're getting a device with extremely high resolution (highest in its class EVER), a 1.7 GHz CPU with up to 2.1 possible, a software and hardware support guarantee from Google, an extremely competitive GPU, and future-proofing with the latest Android versions for years to come.
That sounds like a pretty damn good deal to me. I know I've loved my N10.
If you're having issues with your device its likely a manufacturing fault, just return it to Google and get a new one.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using XDA Premium HD app

hpl912 said:
the more i know and read about the n10 the more i feel being ripped off
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rip off?
Have you checked how much usable space you have after formatting a 1GB drive? The N10 delivers the specified HW but there is always overhead required to use it, no matter which OS you have. That is just a fact of computing. I would argue that you get to use ALL of the N10 hardware when you accurately account for the a running OS and apps.
Compared to Win8 RT, Android (Linux) is a skinny fashion model. Go look at the Win8 RT tablet specs then see how much usable HW is left after it boots up. Here is just one example.

espionage724 said:
Is there a problem with how I'm describing it? The Nexus 10 does have 2GB of RAM, with close to 800MB (I forget the exact amount but I know I reported it before) being reserved strictly for the GPU, and not userspace apps. I know it's not an "issue", but how I feel about it doesn't really mean too much at all though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol why do you take it like this? I just said you answered a lot of times the same, and you could copy it since i'm sure you'll have to answer that again' Where's the problem?

espionage724 said:
Is there a problem with how I'm describing it? The Nexus 10 does have 2GB of RAM, with close to 800MB (I forget the exact amount but I know I reported it before) being reserved strictly for the GPU, and not userspace apps. I know it's not an "issue", but how I feel about it doesn't really mean too much at all though.
I agree it's kind of normal, but it's how much is missing that still bothers me. The Galaxy Nexus is said to have 1GB of RAM, and if what you say is true, you're missing only a tiny bit over 100MB (which, is nothing imo). The Nexus 10 on the other hand is missing nearly half the advertised amount (not literally "missing" but not usable under normal conditions).
I'm pretty sure most laptop GPU's don't take "that" much RAM either when it's not dedicated (most I've seen was 512MB shared video memory, on laptops containing 4GB of RAM; very small amount really)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I stand corrected about the Galaxy Nexus. It reports at 693 available ram.
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk HD

Enormous RAM usage

Since updating to KitKat RAM usage has been awful, 700 MB is minimum. It kills my multitasking because every background app is killed.. Any sollutions? Thanks

Same here. Google said they will improve ram usage with kitkat but they made it more trash.

matejilic said:
Since updating to KitKat RAM usage has been awful, 700 MB is minimum. It kills my multitasking because every background app is killed.. Any sollutions? Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting as I'm using a custom ROM (see my signature) which is android v4.4.2 and I'm consistently seeing the lowest used memory since v4.3 took more for graphics. With 4.3 I was seeing 76% used now I see as low as 53%. With regular 66%.
If apps are restarting it is not noticeable.

3DSammy said:
Interesting as I'm using a custom ROM (see my signature) which is android v4.4.2 and I'm consistently seeing the lowest used memory since v4.3 took more for graphics. With 4.3 I was seeing 76% used now I see as low as 53%. With regular 66%.
If apps are restarting it is not noticeable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How much ram is that percent out of though? Third tablet is supposed to have 2 GB ram and I know they say the GPU takes some but I'm also only seeing about 800 mega bytes actually used and out of that only around 200-300 free. It's not really an issue for me but why dues the GPU need so much
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app

abdel12345 said:
How much ram is that percent out of though? Third tablet is supposed to have 2 GB ram and I know they say the GPU takes some but I'm also only seeing about 800 mega bytes actually used and out of that only around 200-300 free. It's not really an issue for me but why dues the GPU need so much
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was referring to a Nexus 10, so 2GB. Performance/screen resolution is the reason for so much memory allotted to the GPU. Combined with the OS requirements it seems as if there should be more available but PC's have been allocating memory to GPUs for years.
We have already seen some tablets with 3GB and soon with 64 bit ARM processors and an Android OS to match we'll see 4GB tabs.
As you mentioned unless you are impacted this is much to do about nothing.

3DSammy said:
I was referring to a Nexus 10, so 2GB. Performance/screen resolution is the reason for so much memory allotted to the GPU. Combined with the OS requirements it seems as if there should be more available but PC's have been allocating memory to GPUs for years.
We have already seen some tablets with 3GB and soon with 64 bit ARM processors and an Android OS to match we'll see 4GB tabs.
As you mentioned unless you are impacted this is much to do about nothing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was talking about my nexus 10 too.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app

[Q] RAM missing?

Hi
I´m kind of new here but still haven´t found an answer why my Nexus only shows 1097 RAM instad of 2000? Even tried different hardware checker and they all tell me the same. Have I made I bad flash?

Davidkallen said:
Hi
I´m kind of new here but still haven´t found an answer why my Nexus only shows 1097 RAM instad of 2000? Even tried different hardware checker and they all tell me the same. Have I made I bad flash?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The 2GB ram on the device must accommodate both the operating system and graphics Ram before any apps are loaded. So what you see is normal. This is no different for laptops. Also the 16 or 32 GB internal storage shows less after formatting and Android OS plus Google apps (Gapps) are installed. At least with the Nexus 10 you have much less bloatware compared to other Tablets (eg. Samsung).
Sent from my Nexus 10 using XDA Premium HD app

3DSammy said:
The 2GB ram on the device must accommodate both the operating system and graphics Ram before any apps are loaded. So what you see is normal. This is no different for laptops. Also the 16 or 32 GB internal storage shows less after formatting and Android OS plus Google apps (Gapps) are installed. At least with the Nexus 10 you have much less bloatware compared to other Tablets (eg. Samsung).
Sent from my Nexus 10 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for you answer 3Dsammy.
I understand that you use RAM when things are installed, But I still dont get it. When I was on stock it showed in settings 2 gb RAM. And now Hardware info (app) System RAM 1097?. Same with Clean sweeper.

Davidkallen said:
I understand that you use RAM when things are installed, But I still dont get it. When I was on stock it showed in settings 2 gb RAM. And now Hardware info (app) System RAM 1097?. Same with Clean sweeper.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nexus 10 has never shown 2gb available, I've had it since launch and I believe the most I've ever seen was back on 4.2 was about 1400MB or so, and it has gone down from there on each update. You never get what they advertise on the box, every single one of my devices has less than whats advertised, my Note 3 is supposed to have 3gb available, but really its only 2.38 after its said and done..
1098 is normal on 4.4.2 for N10, I've attached a shot from mine ... I can only assume most of it is being reserved for the GPU and its super high resolution.
** These threads might have more information you are looking for.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2377356
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2463178

Hi,
As already stated here, just clearing a little the information for you .
The Nexus 10 has a huge screen resolution, therefore it requires a more powerful GPU, even having a pretty powerful graphic processors which is the MALI, it's not powerful enough for the 1600p screen, so they allocated ≈1GB to the graphic unit to prevent any possible issues.
Also, there are some apps running in background, so it takes some RAM too.
Hope this clarifies a little ,
~Lord
"All I Ever Needed Was A Little Piece of Hope" - World of Fantasy (Helloween)
Sent from my monstrous Xperia Z1

Thank for your help:good:

I did notice that with slim kat 4.2.2 I have 1647 ram available and with 4.4.2 slim kat I had 1099.
so I thought that Kit Kat uses less RAM but I don't really see it with those comparisons.
Joe

How much is the total ram in your Nexus 6P?

I just noticed that on my 6P the total ram the os reporting is 2.6Gb. Is that normal? I can't remember but I am pretty sure on my nexus 6 was more. Anyone else noticed this?

Normal.
Sent from my Nexus 6P

This can't be true... Is this normal?

aygul12345 said:
This can't be true... Is this normal?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is this your first time buying a tech gadget? Some RAM is always saved for internal usage.
Sent from my Nexus 6P

anglerstock said:
Is this your first time buying a tech gadget? Some RAM is always saved for internal usage.
Sent from my Nexus 6P
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, but is very small amount over... In the picture you see 700mb free.. Isnt that low?

It's like the base 640k from old days, or even better, that space between 640k and 1meg that was mostly reserved and a pain to use.

yeah my operating ram is low as well its always around 700 mb o soI dont see if why if they knew they were gonna use so much why not make it 4GB instead of 3?

Total: 2.6GB
Average used: 66%
Free 0.88GB

Thanks, I was wondering if it's just mine...
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

I'm curious why phone, while not running much, reports RAM usage over 50%.
Is this normal or do I need to troubleshoot?
.
.

The free ram thread for every phone. Android is based on Linux. Linux runs best when it uses as much ram as possible and frees ram as it sees fit.
http://www.linuxatemyram.com/

nrage23 said:
The free ram thread for every phone. Android is based on Linux. Linux runs best when it uses as much ram as possible and frees ram as it sees fit.
http://www.linuxatemyram.com/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
.
OK that answers my question. Thanks for the link.

No problem. We all get used to Windows which works better with free ram.

nrage23 said:
The free ram thread for every phone. Android is based on Linux. Linux runs best when it uses as much ram as possible and frees ram as it sees fit.
http://www.linuxatemyram.com/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dindt know that, thanks for the link

nrage23 said:
No problem. We all get used to Windows which works better with free ram.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But in the G4 you have more Ram to use. Just like about 1GB. And here on the 6P less then 1GB

The stock Google bloat system & apps will use more memory. It always seems to improve free memory with custom roms and their optimization tweak's!

aygul12345 said:
But in the G4 you have more Ram to use. Just like about 1GB. And here on the 6P less then 1GB
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
galaxys said:
The stock Google bloat system & apps will use more memory. It always seems to improve free memory with custom roms and their optimization tweak's!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are missing the point. You do not want free ram. In Linux based operating systems free memory is wasted memory. It optimizes the ram for the apps you use most frequently and helps them to load faster. The 6P has 3gb of ram.

Thank you sane people. I was getting tired of telling people this fact about Linux ram management.
Sent from a 128th Legion Stormtrooper 6P

I know my nexus is sitting around 60% usage from just the OS / UI but my MotoX 2013 only used maybe 20-30%.
My moto also claimed 2GB RAM and it showed all 2GB, same with my Shield tablet, on any app that shows total RAM yet the nexus only shows 2.64GB.

Unused RAM is wasted RAM.