The analog IC "shortage": real or hype?

Bill Schweber, Planet Analog
Jul 04, 2010 (2:55 PM)

I just saw a report from market-research outfit iSuppli Corp. (see "Severe Shortages Impact Key Commodity Components") which maintained that there is a shortage of ICs, especially analog and memory types. Parts are on allocation, fab lines are 100% committed, test facilities are booked solid, and so on.

Now, iSuppli is a credible outfit and I don't doubt what they are reporting has substantial evidence to support it. Yet still. . . when I hear "shortage", I always wonder to what extent there's a real shortage–whatever that means–versus a shortage of something at a price customers would like to pay. After all there's a shortage of gold at $500/ounce, but no shortage at $1200/ounce (right now).

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