mbitsoldier Blog

August 25th DRAM Offers are Starting to Show

The market prices on memory have been soft recently. Module stock is on the shelves at DRAM maker hubs and distribution and brokers are eager to cut deals. With recent market growth postings from Samsung, it is anticipated Samsung has yet again developed ahead of other producers and will yield larger profits during this period of lack luster demand. Micron modules and chips are seen also to be aggressive as well.

Sample spot prices, September 25, 2010: 

• 128x8 DDR2 800MHz MT47H128M8QJM-25:J USD $2.05
  
• 2GB DDR2 800MHz SO-DIMM MICRON MT16HTF25664HY-800J3 USD $34.50

July 30th DRAM & Module Market Prices

The memory markets draws to the end of July 2010 and chips makers look to push a volume. Indications are confirmed that over supply is on its way to some extent. Negotiations could capture lower prices on lists like these, here is preview of a DRAM makers, (suppliers to top tier comuter OEMs) end of month DRAM and module spot market price push list:

• DDR3   2GB    256Mx64   SODIMM   $43.00
• DDR3   4GB    512Mx64   SODIMM   $113.00
• DDR2   2GB    256Mx64   SODIMM   $34.50
• DDR2   1GB    128Mx64   UDIMM   $17.25
• DDR2   2GB    256Mx64   UDIMM   $34.50
• DDR2   1Gb    1Gb x8   CHIP   $2.05
• DDR3   1Gb    1Gb x4   CHIP   $3.05
• DDR3   2Gb    2Gb x8   CHIP $6.50

*Volume not shown
*Low five figure levels on modules
*Low six figure level on components

Meanwhile online retailers show some aggressive online prices as well. These module type are based on uTT or eTT components and are not mainstream for top computer makers such as Apple, Dell, HP and Toshiba. Highlights of lower prices:

• DDR3   2GB    256Mx64   SODIMM   $44.99
• DDR3   4GB    512Mx64   SODIMM   $109.99
• DDR2   2GB    256Mx64   SODIMM   $37.50
• DDR2   1GB    128Mx64   UDIMM   $19.49
• DDR2   2GB    256Mx64   UDIMM   $37.50

Dell, HP and others need to innovate and keep pace with Apple so a wider appeal and DRAM demand can keep surplus from hitting the spot market. Better yield and efficiency in chip fabrication is just around the corner and the DRAM market could see a very soft forth quarter.

Apple is large and in charge

My first computer was an Apple 2E in eighth grade. I then was fortunate to work on a Macintosh soon after, then did not have a computer of my own until 1998. Dell, Dell then Toshiba were the next systems I had. Coming from the memory industry backround, Samsung began to make their presence known. My first cell phone was a Qualcomm, then Samsung, Samsung, Samsung, Blackberry x3 then the Droid. I would be a fan of the iPhone but I am a big Verizon fan, yet my daughter has one. Getting back to the computers, I have an iBook G4, MacBook Pro, iMac 3.06GHz and my daughter has the 2.8GHz model. Two Cinema displays, Apple TV, and have had about five iPods.

What is the point? Considering my next system I am certain it will be a Mac, potentially an iPhone if Verzon gets them and oh, BTW, I have an iPad. Apple is the king of technology products and computers and now they are becoming the largest consumer of semiconductors according to iSuppli.

According to iSuppli Corp, Apple’s one-step rise in the rankings will move the company to a close second place behind Hewlett-Packard (News - Alert) Co., which will retain its No. 1 ranking next year thanks to $17.1 billion in spending.

“Leadership in semiconductor spending represents a position of prestige,” said Min-Sun Moon, senior analyst for semiconductor spend and design at iSuppli. “An advancement in the rankings means that a company has been successful in introducing new products and that it is allocating more dollars in research and development—two factors that, incidentally, feed innovativeness as well.”

In Apple’s case, she said, the move to second place reflects the company’s triumph in the iPhone (News - Alert) 4 and iPad, two flagship products that have captured the public’s imagination—and have garnered tremendous sales—on a scale unequaled by rival devices.

“Apple’s expected rise to No. 2—eclipsing Samsung and putting it within a hair’s breadth of Hewlett-Packard—means that the company’s investment in its new smartphone and tablet has paid off—and will do so for some time to come,” Moon noted