Marty,
<< it's time to post questions that you would like answered in the Conference Call >>
I've been wrestling with a time-line for GMR technology for quite some time. Frankly, I can't even speculate on the "what's next?" question.
If GMR is going to be "the" head technology for the next 5-10 years, it may well be time to buy Readrite for a true long term investment.
I suppose it is even possible that GMR will be the last technology for r/w heads, although IBM alludes to the need for something other than GMR as densities approach 100 gig/sq in. (see storage.ibm.com
<<GMR heads are expected to support areal densities well beyond 10 Gbits/in²; however, as areal densities continue to grow, more advanced structures beyond GMR may be required.>>)
I note in the RDRT annual report: "The substantial increase in R&D expenses during fiscal 1998 was attributable to increased development efforts in MR, GMR and other emerging technologies to address the disk drive industry's rapidly changing requirements"
What "other emerging technologies" are they working on?
As I reread this post, it is probably not a question to be posed at an analyst conference call. Still, I'd like to know the direction of their long term R&D.
Thanks,
Yogi |
