Nice showing today CUBE! Meanwhile, in Taiwan . . .
japanbiztech.com
Taiwan CD-ROM Makers Delay 32x Drives
<Picture>TAIPEI -- Acer Inc., Liteon Technology Corp. and Behavior Tech Computer Corp. are delaying the launch of 32x CD-ROM drives.
Liteon Technology said the Japanese delay in offering key components for drive production will delay its entry into the market until November 1997.
Acer also was faced with the same problem and was forced to postpone production of its 32X drive, planned originally for September, to November.
A survey by Synnex Technology International indicates that the 16x drive was still the mainstream of the CD-ROM drive market in July. It was followed by 20x drives, with 24x drives making up 25 percent of the market.
The company expects 20x drives to replace 16x drives as the main type of CD-ROM drive in August.
In terms of pricing, the 16x drive was priced at US$50, the 20x at US$60 and the 24x at US$70.
Industry watchers said they still have difficulty estimating the 32x market due to market uncertainty.
The market is divided over when DVD-ROM drives will successfully replace CD-ROMs.
An Acer spokesman expects thorough replacement to take place by 2000 if DVD prices fall noticeably.
Demand for DVD-ROMs will likely reach 50 percent of the market by 1999, and as much as 70 percent by 2000, according to industry estimates.
The amount of DVD software and differences in market prices will decide the pace of the DVD's adoption, experts said.
Commercial Times, Taiwan - 08/15/97 |
