The tune burned to the board is an exact match to the 1988 DME with the higher rev limit. There is no EEPROM chip socket so no need to provide a chip since they modified their design to include the tune on a chip hard mounted to the board. There is still a fuel quality switch. You do not have to provide an 88 DME to purchase, only any late DME for the core requirements. This does require the use of a late AFM to match the voltage requirements of that measurement.
Since the tune is an exact match to the 88 DME, the increase in performance is in a reliability standpoint. No more tracking down cold or broken solders like some has done. The tune burned directly to the board has 100% to do with engine power output so the power produced from this DME is exactly the same as a 1988 DME on the same engine.
The problem with altering existing DMEs is two fold. You would have to modify the early DMEs to accept a chip socket like the late DMEs to allow a plug and play solution. The late DMEs you actually have to either use a new chip, or tear the sticker off the stock one to clear the memory with UV light, then re burn the program on the chip with the new rev limit. I would say that at this price point, the F9 Tech solution is the best solution all around.