April 14, 2003

 BIG FAST DRIVES – ON SALE

Last week our vendor for IBM sent four times the hard drives we ordered.  We are trying to get rid of these as a favor to them instead of shipping them back.  Until they are sold, IBM 120GB with 8MB buffer will be only $132.00.  Quantities of 5 or more will be only $130.00.  This is the cheapest 120GB hard drive with a 8MB buffer.  Maxtor is $152.00 and Western Digital is $153.00.  Buy now!  Buy often!

 AS PREDICTED, RAM MANUFACTURERS HAD AN EXCUSE

As I stated in my last newsletter, give them a reason and they will raise prices.  RAM prices climbed a little last week after hearing about the tariff that will be placed on Hynix for receiving illegal Korean Government subsidies.  First of all, the penalties will not be imposed until April 25^th.  Secondly, there is enough excess on the market, and there are so many other manufacturers, that prices shouldn’t be affected a noticeable amount.  The RAM market is driven by rumors and excuses.

 ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN

AMD had a price drop yesterday.  Why?  Because they wanted to.  This is one I just don’t understand.  Last years 3rd quarter report from AMD showed them losing over 200 million dollars and they haven’t performed that great since.  However, they continue to have their scheduled price drops to maintain pricing status against Intel.  I guess if you can lose 9 figures in 3 months and stay afloat in this economy, you are either ridiculously stupid or ridiculously wealthy.  I’ll hold off on ridiculously smart for a while but it’s not out of the question.

     S&K