OCZ Launches System Elite Memory Series For System Builders And Integrators

'Teardown' Finds Sony Taking A Bath On Each PS3

AMD-Based Apple Notebook Is In The Works

Only 500 PS3s Available For Launch On November 17 In Taiwan

Apacer, Trancsend Introduce New SDHC Cards, Steel Flash Drive

OCZ Launches System Elite Memory Series For System Builders And Integrators

OCZ Technology Group yesterday unveiled the new OCZ System Elite memory product family for system integrators and builders.

Several product offerings will be available in the System Elite line providing SIs and builders with an assortment of performance, speeds, and densities. Parts will be available frequencies of PC2-4200, PC2-5400, and PC2-6400 in 512MB/1GB modules and 1GB (2x512) and 2GB (2x1024) dual channel kits. The System Elite series implements the cooling effects of OCZ XTC (Xtreme Thermal Convection) heatspreader technology.

Source: OCZ Technology Group

'Teardown' Finds Sony Taking A Bath On Each PS3

Sony is taking a considerable loss of more than $240 per unit on each PlayStation 3 video gaming console, according to a "teardown" analysis conducted by market research firm iSuppli Corp.

The combined materials and manufacturing cost of the PS3 is $806 for the model equipped with a 20-Gbyte hard disk drive (HDD) and $840 for the higher end 60-Gbyte HDD version, according to a preliminary estimate of expenses by iSuppli's teardown analysis service. This total doesn't include additional costs for elements including the controller, cables and packaging, the firm said.

Sony is offering the PS3s—scheduled to hit U.S. retail stores just after midnight Friday (Nov. 18) — at suggested retail prices of $499 for the 20-Gbyte model and $599 for the 60-Byte model. According to iSuppli's analysis, Sony is taking a loss of roughly $241 on the lower-end model and $307 on the higher end model.

PS3's nearest rival, the HDD-equipped Xbox 360 console form Microsoft Corp., has a manufacturing and materials total of $323, based on an updated estimate using costs in the fourth quarter, iSuppli said. This total is $76 less than the $399 suggested retail price of the Xbox 360, according to the firm.

iSuppli said the size of Sony's loss per unit is "remarkable," even for a gaming console. Given the loss it is taking on each unit, iSuppli said it is no surprise that Sony is steering consumers toward the higher-end model.

Source: EETimes

AMD-Based Apple Notebook Is In The Works

Taiwan passive component makers are witnessing an aggressive increase in orders for high-capacitance multi-layer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs), with most of the MLCCs having a capacitance of 22µF, and being for use in an AMD-based Apple notebook, sources at the makers noted. For this new notebook, about 70 22µF MLCCs will be required, with Japan-based Murata Manufacturing, Taiyo Yuden and TDK being the three major suppliers, the sources added.

AMD Taiwan declined to comment on the report.

Passive component makers are generally optimistic about the growth catalyst that the new AMD-base Mac notebooks could bring. Already, demand for Intel-based dual-core Apple notebook models that require about 80 22µ MLCCs has caused supply to tighten for the high-capacitance MLCCs, with notebook makers having to adjust their MLCC mixture, the makers noted.

Speculation that AMD and Apple will team up has been fueled by statements made by AMD CEO Hector Ruiz in September, when he noted that the two companies will eventually do business with each other. The merger between AMD and ATI also helped make the speculation more convincing, as ATI delivers graphics solutions that are specialized for Apple G5 PCs.

However, some motherboard makers are doubtful about any AMD and Apple partnership, with the makers noting the performance advantage Intel currently enjoys over AMD, especially for the Core 2 Duo processor compared with AMD's present CPU lineup. AMD is also considered to have insufficient capacity, the makers added.

Sources at Taiwan server makers, though, indicated that Apple may apply AMD's x86 socket CPUs to its servers. In light of the fact AMD's market share in the server segment is likely to reach 20%, a partnership between the two companies seems reasonable. The DigiTimes

Only 500 PS3s Available For Launch On November 17 In Taiwan

There will be only 500 PlayStation 3 (PS3) game consoles available for sale in Taiwan during the product's launch on November 17, according to the Taiwan branch of Sony Computer Entertainment Hong Kong (SCEH).

In Taiwan, 150 PS3 consoles will be available for sale at a launch ceremony in downtown Taipei in addition to a quota of 350 units for sale through 35 selected retail outlets which will have 10 units distributed to each, SCEH Taiwan branch pointed out. The outlets include seven Tsann Kuen electronics stores, eight Fnac chain stores and Sony's franchise stores.

Source: The DigiTimes

Apacer, Trancsend Introduce New SDHC Cards, Steel Flash Drive

Apacer Technology introduced new 4GB Class 6 and 4/8GB Class 2 SD High Capacity flash cards. The former support 6MB/sec operation speed, while the latter support 2MB/sec speed, but offer larger storage capacity.

Compliant with SD Spec Ver. 2.0, these SDHC cards utilize the FAT 32 file system and support ECC error detection and correction, CPRM (Content Protection for Recordable Media) rights management technology, and wear leveling for extended product life. Support for ISP mode firmware loading enhances programmability, SDMI compliance allows playback of copy-protected music, and auto stand-by and sleep mode reduce power consumption to extend device battery life.

Transcend, in its turn, released a 4GB Mini SDHC Card (SD 2.0). It also supports ECC, ISP, power down and sleep modes and is backed by lifetime warranty.

The company also introduced a new stainless steel USB 2.0 flash drive, the JetFlash 180. It features SLC NAND-type flash chips (read 10~12MB/s, write 8MB/s) and measures 49.3 x 15.4 x 6.56 mm. Each JetFlash 180 comes with a short chain, so it can be hooked to a key ring. It also comes bundled with some software applications and supports PC-Lock, Secret-Zip, E-Mail, Auto-Login, Favorites, Data Backup functions.

Source: Apacer Technology, Transcend

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