Thread

1. N_Lens · 1789618282 · focus · HN ↗

   The big companies are insulated because they've locked in multi-year supply contracts with ram manufacturers - Microsoft, Google, Meta, Amazon (All on 3-5 yr contracts). OAI's deal with Samsung & SK Hynix is also colossal - locking up roughly 900,000 DRAM wafers per month, roughly 40% of world output (Stargate project).

   Apple got caught out because it had a shorter contract that ended in the beginning of Q3, and they've tried to source their RAM from Chinese CXMT who declined because all capacity was already locked in contracts. They've gone with a lesser known company Kioxia.

   Overall the consumer segment is completely neglected, companies don't care about end users in the current market conditions.

   1. seanmcdirmid · 1789618950 · focus · HN ↗

      > and they've tried to source their RAM from Chinese CXMT who declined because all capacity was already locked in contracts.

      The US Government also wouldn't let Apple use Chinese RAM anyways, even for product that was just going to be used in China. China does have capacity issues though, and focusing on local brands first is probably the right call. Hopefully they can ramp even if they can't get the fancy lithography machines from the Netherlands.

      1. noduerme · 1789619560 · focus · HN ↗

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