Advanced Micro Devices Inc (AMD)

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Re: There are some rumors of a Intel + STM NOR flash spinoff, which would completely separate it from the CPU business link.

I actually thought these rumors were credible, until nothing came of it. For now, I think the most rational assumption is that Intel will keep their NOR unit, and try to restore some level of profitability (even if it is at razor thin margins). Meanwhile, they have no where else to go but up with NAND.

Re: While I understand it helps if I am generally interested in in the area I invest in, and I would have hard time following investment of a sleeping pill manufacturer, flash is reasonably within my sphere of interest.

Fortunately for me, NOR flash is such a small part of what Intel actually does. I am actually more interested in NAND, given the synergy it has with PC products. I'd actually like to see Intel grow in this market, but I'm sure they have a long way to go before they acquire enough design wins to show anything material. But in all fairness to investors, I would think that Intel should announce some level of ramp milestone in the next year. If it isn't profitability, then it should at least be in the form of xxx designs, or yyy units, or zzz gigabits shipped. Intel shouldn't give up on the notion of competing with Samsung in this market, even if it is a long shot.