STAMFORD, CT – After two quarters of positive growth, worldwide PC shipments totaled 92.2 million units in the fourth quarter of 2011, down 1.4% year-over-year, says Gartner. These figures were in line with Gartner’s earlier forecast of a 1% decline for the quarter.

REDMOND, WA -- Microsoft today issued a statement insisting labor protests at its contract manufacturing partner Foxconn are over.

AUSTIN, TX -- Laminate substrates and leadframe production will outpace silicon wafer growth in 2012, a new report asserts.

SAN JOSE -- Semiconductor wafer fabrication equipment capital expenditures are expected to yo-yo throughout 2012, with a first-half drop followed by a sharp second-half rebound, SEMI says.