Arik Hesseldahl

Recent Posts by Arik Hesseldahl

Chip Sales Grew in May at Fastest Rate in Three Years

Sales of personal computers and servers may be slowing down, but sales of chips are growing faster than at any time in the last three years, according to new figures from the Semiconductor Industry Association.

The trade organization said global chip sales reached $24.7 billion, up 4.6 percent from the previous month, and a 1.3 percent increase over March 2012. The increase amounts to the biggest month-to-month sales increase since March of 2010.

Sales in the Asia Pacific region grew the most, nearly six percent, while the Americas grew 5.6 percent. Japan and Europe also grew slightly, marking the first time in a year that all four regions have seen month-to-month growth since mid-2012.

It’s a big improvement versus April, when sales fell nearly two percent from the year-ago period. In a statement, SIA president Brian Toohey called the results “unambiguously strong.”

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Another gadget you don’t really need. Will not work once you get it home. New model out in 4 weeks. Battery life is too short to be of any use.

— From the fact sheet for a fake product entitled Useless Plasticbox 1.2 (an actual empty plastic box) placed in L.A.-area Best Buy stores by an artist called Plastic Jesus