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BYODtP: AI's RAMageddon and its Famine on Hardware

A Concertina Wired Short

I hear that RAM's incredibly expensive, with people scraping their old RAM drawers to sell DDR2 and DDR3 modules back so things like set top boxes can still be built.

That means we're not likely to see tablet hardware upgrades that are desperately needed here in prison; our Securus JP6s tablets still run a modified build of Android 8, with Wi-Fi drivers flakier than a buttermilk biscuit, and hardware as performant as a molasses-dipped turtle in winter.

I propose a Bring Your Own Device to Prison policy.
Each person can bring or have shipped in a laptop with a screen not to exceed 15", or an eBook reader. No cellphones at this time as we test and tune for this.
Laptops and eBook readers can connect to the state-provided wireless network, which gives access to by default:

  • a web interface for electronic messages
  • an electronic book library including partnerships with regional public libraries for eBook lending
  • a web interface for movie rentals and music purchases/streaming
  • Edovo
  • Coursera

If I could have one of my old laptops, be it my old Dell Latitude E6500 Project (RED), or my Chuwi Herobook, prison would be a lot different. The Herobook would be preferable because of size: it's super slim, and even with that Intel Atom Z8350 onboard, keeps pace with its fatter cousin, that old Latitude. Plus, fewer removable parts would make Security happier to see the Herobook and other machines similar to it.

If I lost that Herobook...? Folks, I paid $150 for it on Wish seven years ago. I would be mildly perturbed, and float on, much like I do in this moment.
Besides, the soldered-on RAM is probably worth as much as the whole machine now. 😆

Wi-Fi drops while writing this blog: 17

(alternative option: abolition of prison, but that's too radical.)