I am saying in earnest that starting about 6-8 weeks ago that most businesses, meaning 85-90%, are only replacing things that go "snap, crackle, pop". The return to even minimal replacement cycles levels post 9/11 -- about 1.25% PC's in service per month or 7 year average PC life cycle -- has not returned since IRS APR 15 pay date, Iraq/SARS crisis broke out. My worst case recollection of slow spring sales in the early 90's was that customers started buying again by mid to late MAY.
I believe that Intel is way below plan and is going to do just about anything to meet numbers. One of my spot suppliers of mine has been upgraded to full Intel distributor status 2 weeks. Intel in putting out large sums of money to see them succeed. IMO Intel is fronting fairly large credit lines for the majority of their customer accounts. I got a call today from this distributor that I earned a $15K credit line without even signing any paperwork, personal guarantees or signed agreements. Intel is got product to push and people are reluctant to buy so they are taking the GM route of easy financing to tech resellers.
Also, I am getting numerous calls from several networking vendors that have not been able to get into large retail chain stores who are offering product at very heavy discounts -- 4 port gigabyte switch for $100 for example. They report that sales are way off.
It seems that federal reserves post about Ingram Micro warning about lower sales yesterday is true. The majority of PC channel is way below forecast as of today. In the past, I have given several accurate calls about Intel. If PC sales do not turn around in about 2 weeks, I willing to go on record that Intel is missing numbers and if just a little or a lot. I will guarantee that I will echo in substance Osha's announcement RE Intel and beat it by at least two weeks in advance.
Market Data 
Markets 
AI
