(1) Evan Ramstad, Fading Memory Saps Chip Makers. Wall Street Journal, Jan 7, 2012.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB ... 44642749390390.html
Quote:
(a) "But demand for these memory devices has leveled off, and the business is no longer as important to the semiconductor industry as it once was. * * * The reasons: shrinking demand for personal computers--the devices that consume the most memory chips--and the soaring cost of building a new chip factory.
"PCs buyers no longer see the need to lavish lots of these chips, known as DRAM dor dynamic random access memory, to augment their machines as often as they once did. Computerv performance gains are now coming from other components, including a different typre of memory, called NAND flash, which is edging into the data-storage role long played by hard disk drives.
"The DRAM Business has been brutal. [Intel exited in 1980; Motorola in 1985. Texas Instrument fled in the mid-1990s. Three years ago, Qimonda, successor of Siemen's DRAM , closed its door.
"All were hurt by the rise of Asian manufacturers * * 8 who mastered the art of building new factories and driving production costs lower. * * * As a result [of arms race], manufacturers kept building factories, or fabs * * * But no one expected the shift in pcs that woud level off demand and result in a prolonged oversupply.
"And NAND flash revenues is likely to be greater than DRAM in 2012 for the first time, qanalysts estimate.
My comment: I recomment this report, which does not mention Taiwan explicitly. If you can not get access, however, the quotation is enough.
(2) Ian Sherr, Vizio Jumps Into PC Fray. Wall Street Journal, Jan 7, 2012.
Quote:
(a) Vozio "plans to show a line of thin laptop computers and all-in-one desttop PCs * * * Vizio isn't using the ultrabook moniker.
(b) "The company expanded its lineup to include an 8-inch tablet, which uses Google Inc's Android mobile operating system. Vizio said its supply of the device--priced at $329, compared with the $499 entry price for Apple's 10.1-inch iPad--quickly sold ou after the debut in August, marking unusual demand in a croqwded market where few iPad rivals have done well.
"'We underestimated demand,' Mr [Matthew] McRae[, Vizio's Technology chief] said. He dclined to disclose sales other than to say the company sold out of its initial inventory in four months and that unit sales are 'way over six-figures.'
My comment:
(a) There is no need to read the rest.
(b) I have respect for this Taiwanese-founded "closely held" (this report) company. For years Vizio has sold more televisions (all LCD TVs) in US than the second-place Samsung, not to mention Sony. But visit appliance outlets in US, and Vizio is no where to be found. Presumably Vizio is bought online, unseen and untested. |