In this Product Focus, we look at memory, specifically NAND flash and solid-state disks (SSDs). For NAND, the law of supply and demand is in full force with a supply shortage that started in March keeping prices steady through the summer of 2009 and into 2011, according to Jim Handy, NAND and SSD analyst at Objective Analysis. The shortage could intensify this year, to the degree that smaller OEMs, such as manufacturers of digital picture frames and USB drives, may get squeezed out by larger OEMs. To paraphrase Handy, now's not the time to haggle over price if you're at risk: close that deal with your suppliers.
In NAND, Handy sees a strong move in 2010 from two-bit-per-cell to three-bit-per-cell technology, led by SanDisk and Toshiba, with Samsung "fiddling in it." SanDisk will keep pushing its four-bit-per-cell technology. Meanwhile, Intel-Micron Flash Technology, he said, would instead continue to push on the process front to maximize bit density.
SSDs too are going through a sea change in technology, with Micron having just emerged with a 6-Gbit/s SATA interface. However, "I'm never expecting SSDs to match price/gigabyte performance of hard-disk drives," said Handy, "which can make it difficult for SSDs to compete."
Anyway, these two charts show a comparative breakdown of recent offerings from both NAND and SSDs. Any comments? E-mail Patrick Mannion at patrick.mannion@ubm.com.
See related tables:
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Click on image to enlarge. |
