Friends-
The Aug 9 InfoWorld (an industry rag for the big corporate IT shops) had two articles discussing low availability of high-end portables, and, more importantly for VLNC, a two month delay in introducing their new high-end portables this fall. Availability problems blamed on capacity limits for larger LCDs (but you can always allocate to most important segments, can't you?) and vendors allocating production time to fall product transitions. The writer noted LCD backlog was about two months, and would not be relieved until 2nd qtr, 2000.
The other art. was about OEM conflicts w Intel due to two month delay in launching Mobile Pentium III chip, and launch of OEM notebooks based on it - from September to November. The reasons are disputed by Intel & OEMs, but are somehow related to production problems for the DESKTOP Coppermine processor (new 0.18 micron chip) according to Intel. (Huh??)
The MobileIII chips will initially populate the very high-end of portable family, exactly the machines that we expect VLNC batteries to power. Delay in introduction may delay large POs for VLNC laptop batteries, it seems. (It may also allow building up of LCD inventories to meet demands when introduced).
This will not affect cell-phone po's of course, which are probably closer to the ink anyway.
Comments??
I will fax article if you send me your fax # by PM (unless request list grows too long)
Long, and ready for a break!
Best - Bob |
