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Apple to Use Flash Memory in NBs?
Techtree News Staff, Mar 09, 2007 1303 hrs ISTAn analyst at American Technology Research says Apple Computer might use NAND flash memory in their fast notebook computers later this year.
According to Shaw Wu, an analyst at American Technology Research, Apple Computer might use NAND flash memory in their fast notebook computers later this year.
Wu said that Apple is likely working on small computers known as sub-notebooks, which could include NAND flash memory based storage solutions.
Wu believes that a shift to flash memory in place of much slower hard-disk drives would eliminate lengthy start-up times for consumers when they turn on computers. And this transition to flash memory for computers could in turn put pressure on makers of traditional hard-disk drives, including Seagate Technology, the largest US hard-disk drive maker.
It is learnt that Apple already uses flash memory in its iPod Nano and iPod Shuffle music players, as flash memory is lighter, uses less power, and takes up less space than hard-disk drives.
Wu said the time is right for flash makers to make a move as flash memory prices decline. Apple, apparently, is pretty much ready. So the ball is - in the flash vendors' court.
Moreover, Apple would be among the first personal computer makers to use flash memory for storing data in computers, a step that some chip memory makers, including Micron Technology, have said is inevitable, as prices for flash decline and storage capacity increases.
Wu added that flash memory chips have solid-state circuitry that uses no moving parts, making them less vulnerable to damage than hard disk drives. Prices of flash memory have been declining rapidly but are still higher than those for hard-disk drives, meaning early flash-based computers would be more expensive. And Apple would use a miniature version of its Mac OS X operating system in the flash-based sub-notebook computers.
Meanwhile, Apple will launch the sub-notebook computers by the second half of this year to capitalize on the recent increase in sales of its Macintosh desktops and notebooks.
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julian john
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