Back on June 1, Sterne, Agee came out with this note on Samsung and TLC:
07:27 SNDK SanDisk: Samsung cutting back 3-bit output, AAPL MLC demand picking up, positive for SNDK - Sterne Agee (42.07 )
Sterne Agee's checks in the NAND supply indicate NAND Supply continues to be constrained and inventory at normal levels. Firm believes Samsung is potentially cutting back on its 3-bit NAND output for 3Q10 as it caters to strong AAPL high density MLC demand. AAPL demand for 16-32Gb MLC picking up substantially as those are the key NAND components for the ramping builds on iPhone4 and iPad. Firm believes the mix shift at Samsung back to MLC plays well for Sandisk, as SNDK is the key player at 3-bit per cell.
 Message 26655724
No one else produces it, as far as I know. Also, your comments in the post I am replying to seem to contradict somewhat your comments in this post:
Message 26486384
TLC should be cheaper than MLC. Sure it would be "better" for Sandisk margins if they were the same price, but I presume that, as they have gained more production experience with it, their costs have gone down as well. FWIW, I was in Staples today, and noted that they were well stocked with flash drives, especially HPQ, PNY and Sandisk brands. Sandisk was the high price in every instance I looked at (and they were all more expensive than online prices I have seen). I'm not sure if that has any meaning, as I really don't know why someone would buy flash drives at a Staples store, I just note it. It wouldn't surprise me if Sandisk flash was in each one of those drives.
All that said--it is good to hear from you, Pam, I hope you have time to give us the benefit of your thoughts over the next few weeks! |
