Available RAM?

[bcfour]

After the ICS upgrade (and, yes, I did a factory reset), I've noticed my available memory (RAM) hovering regularly at or below 100mb. I don't have any out of the ordinary background processes running, so I'm curious what might be causing this huge memory drop from gingerbread. Anybody else notice this?

 

[euph_22]

After the ICS upgrade (and, yes, I did a factory reset), I've noticed my available memory (RAM) hovering regularly at or below 100mb. I don't have any out of the ordinary background processes running, so I'm curious what might be causing this huge memory drop from gingerbread. Anybody else notice this?

Are you noticing any performance issues? If not, ignore the RAM. Android does just fine managing it's RAM without your help.

If you are having issues (lagginess, jerkiness, hanging), or you really want to fiddle (again, don't leave it alone) you can install system panel from the Market (err...Google Play Store) and use that to see what is using RAM.

However, Android/Linux uses RAM far differently than Windows does (atleast older windows like XP). After Android is done running a program/service/process it saves that process in the unused space in the RAM. That way they don't need to be started from scratch should that process be run again. Storing does use up any more battery power than the RAM needs while empty, the cached apps can easily be purged at will (taking so little time that it's effectively instantaneous), and will definitely save time and battery if that process is run again. The adage to remember here is "Free RAM is wasted RAM".

 

[bcfour]

Thanks much.

 

[TG1]

I noticed the exact same thing and couldn't figure it out since I have the same setup on ICS as I did on GB. However, after a week on ICS I can say that my battery life is the same or better so I won't lose any sleep over it.