News
SCOTTSDALE, AZ – With economic conditions remaining shaky through most of 2009, personal computer sales are forecast to suffer a rare-but-modest decline next year, and PC unit growth is expected to slow down to about half the rate seen in 2008, according to IC Insights.
In 2009, however, shipments of portable notebook computers are expected to exceed desktop PCs for the first time ever. Notebook PC shipments are projected to rise 13% to 156 million systems in 2009, versus a 3% decline for desktop systems to 143 million, says the research firm. Worldwide shipments of notebook computers are expected to reach 264 million in 2012 compared to 178 million desktop PCs.
Overall PC dollar volumes are forecast to decline 3% next year to $240 billion. While market conditions will remain weak through much of 2009, IC Insights does not believe the PC segment will suffer a protracted downturn, as was the case in the 2001-2002 recession. Supply-chain inventories did not grow out of control in 2008, and PCs are more pervasive than they were at the start of this decade. Growing demand for low-cost systems in developing regions is also helping offset some weakness in the U.S., European, and Japanese markets. PC revenues are now forecast to rebound by more than 9% in 2010 to about $263 million. PC unit growth is also expected to surge back in 2010 with shipments rising 15% to 350 million systems worldwide compared to a projected 5% increase in 2009.
During the 2009 slowdown year, PC integrated circuit sales will fall 6% to $66.4 billion, the firm says. IC sales for PCs dropped 3% in 2008 to an estimated $70.4 billion after slipping 4% in 2007 to $72.3 billion, mainly as a result of price erosion in DRAMs and x86 central microprocessors sold by Intel and rival Advanced Micro Devices. IC sales are expected to rebound in 2010, reaching an annual record high of $83 billion in 2011.
EAST WINDSOR, CT – Friendlygreen.org today announced so-called green alternatives to tissue paper products.
The online resource offers links to articles and Web sites that provide information about the environmental impact of everyday products.
The pulp and paper industry, for example, which includes tissue product manufacturers, is among the world’s largest generators of toxic air, water pollutants and waste products. It is the third largest generator of global warming emissions, says the site, and those emissions are projected to increase 100% by 2020.
In North America, tissue products can be made from post-consumer recycled materials or agricultural waste, says Friendlygreen.org, sparing old growth forests.
The online resource offers links to articles and Web sites that provide information about the environmental impact of everyday products.
The pulp and paper industry, for example, which includes tissue product manufacturers, is among the world’s largest generators of toxic air, water pollutants and waste products. It is the third largest generator of global warming emissions, says the site, and those emissions are projected to increase 100% by 2020.
In North America, tissue products can be made from post-consumer recycled materials or agricultural waste, says Friendlygreen.org, sparing old growth forests.
BRUSSELS – The European Commission issued a proposal to revise the EU’s RoHS Directive.
The proposal is expected to enter into force at the end of 2011 and links future assessment of substances under RoHS to the principles behind the EU’s REACH chemicals policy. It does not add any new substances to the restrictions list.
However, the proposal is said to fall short of achieving scientific and regulatory consistency, according to the European Brominated Flame Retardant Industry Panel. The proposal contradicts the EU’s existing chemicals policy by restricting use of the flame retardant Deca-BDE, despite an EU risk assessment concluding there is no need for any such restriction, says EBFRIP.
EBFRIP looks to the parliament and council to address this inconsistency during their consideration of the proposal in 2009 and 2010.
TAIPEI – Third-quarter contract DRAM prices fell, down 34% sequentially, with spot prices down 52%, says DRAMeXchange.
The research firm estimates the global DRAM market will reach $23.2 billion in 2008, down 24.7% compared to 2007. Average selling prices will drop 55%, says DRAMeXchange.
Revenues, excluding OEMs, were $6.35 billion in the third quarter, down 2.4% sequentially.
Samsung has reportedly taken a leading 23.9% share of the global market, down 9.9% compared to the prior quarter. Nanya, ranked no. 6, was the only company to have increased revenues significantly, to $350 million, up 31.6%, says the research firm.
Powerchip, in 7th place, had the largest sequential decline, down 16.3% to $254 million.
Qimonda recorded an increase of 2.2%, to $613 million, putting the firm in fifth position. Hynix remains in second, with a market share of 20.5%, followed by Elpida (16%) and Micron Technology (12.3%).
Micron's share is expected to rise dramatically in 2009 with its purchase of Inotera and its licensing deal with Nanya.
DRAMeXchange suggests Samsung was the only DRAM player to record profits in the third quarter.
MADISON, AL – STI Electronics Inc. says it provides evaluation and detection of counterfeit components.
STI’s analytical laboratory offers various services to investigate for counterfeit devices. Some of these services include functional testing, optical inspection, x-ray analysis, FT-IR testing, elemental surface analysis (SEM/EDS) and chemical mechanical decapsulation.
The firm also provides training, distribution, consulting, laboratory analysis, prototyping, and PCB assembly.
ENDICOTT, NY – Endicott Interconnect Technologies Inc. has been awarded a $12 million research and development contract by the U.S. Department of Defense to continue development of electronic packaging technologies, including PCBs and organic substrates for a super computer application.
