Flash market depending on Macworld, China
updated 10:25 am EST, Wed January 2, 2008
Flash market and Macworld
The health of the NAND flash market is now heavily dependent on this month's Macworld Expo, anonymous industry sources say. Demand for flash in North America and Europe is said to be very weak at the moment, foremost because the lucrative Christmas season is over, but also because Apple in particular -- one of the largest memory consumers in the world -- is simply requesting less than it has in recent times. NAND manufacturers are thus hoping that Apple will announce new products at Macworld, restoring demand to the market.
The manufacturers are said to be keeping low stock of NAND memory, as they expect prices to drop even further than they are at present. Companies are meanwhile turning to China, whose growing middle and upper classes are increasing sales of high-tech electronics. Regional demand should become particularly big in advance of the Lunar New Year in February, it is claimed.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Feb 2001
What about lead time?
This does not make sense. Typically, Apple announces new products and has them ready to ship shortly there after. The only two exceptions to this were AppleTV and iPhone. If Apple is going to ship something soon after MacWorld, the manufacturers would have delivered the flash chips to Apple already. So, they are betting on a future product announcement from Apple at MacWorld. Oh Well!!