You might think that 15.6 per cent isn't that big a share for Intel, probably the best-known microprocessor maker in the PC-orientated world, but the semiconductor market includes many other facets, and competitors. Your PC is full of semiconductor-containing products such as memory, flash memory, graphics processors, I/O controllers, wireless and networking components.
With reference to Intel, the growing popularity of SSDs
means a boost in demand for its NAND flash memory. Further, the acquisition of
Infineon's wireless business unit helps keep the pennies trickling in for group revenue. Having fingers in pies of these
storage and networking IT growth markets, as well as strong demand for
its well-known CPUs/chipsets, has helped Intel keep well ahead of
Samsung (9.2 per cent market share). The growth is impressive when set against the backdrop of steady overall semiconductor revenue from year to year.
If
you look at the table above, you can see two other significant
percentage change risers from last year; firstly Qualcomm, with
its focus on wireless and mobile technology, which are also booming
IT sectors right now. Secondly ON Semiconductor, a supplier of high-performance and energy-efficient electronics. Everyone wants energy
efficiency, so that the batteries in our gadgets last longer, and it
looks like that is part of the reason for ON Semiconductor's success.
Also it has some interesting high-efficiency wireless charging
ICs announced less than a week ago.
Going back to Intel we see that it's pushing forward this year with Ivy Bridge chips becoming available
in the next few months. This move is also following the smaller, more
efficient, therefore more portable impetus of all the successful
companies in the above table. Right now it looks like 2012 should be another good year for Intel.
