My sources for the 15% were numerous articles appearing in reliable and
knowledgeable web sites (PC World, ZD, CNET, etc.).  I have also read on
newsgroup postings from residents of Taiwan that the price of RAM rose
about 5-10% in the week following the quake and then took off when
prices zoomed over 200% everywhere else.  Clearly it was not my
suggestion that those building PC's for customers in need avoid buying
RAM, but rather for those of us thinking of increasing the amount
available for Windows to tie up.  I would suggest that if any of your
customers are building with future needs in mind, that you suggest they
go light on RAM at the moment and offer to upgrade it for them at a
later date when the price drops.  Would make you look mighty good and
honest in their eyes.

Art Cassel

Kyle wrote;


> I was informed that Taiwan produces much more than the 15% you have stated
> here, but I do not have any solid evidence to that effect, so you could very
> well be right.  However, you are also correct about the "greed" issue, and
> the perceived effect can be much more powerful than the actual effect.  I
> think RAM falls into a little more vague territory than cars, however,
> because we usually don't associate brand names with memory.  So, it's easier
> for the industry giants to justify the price leap because we also cannot
> necessarily identify where the RAM might be coming from.
>
> As far as avoiding the purchase of RAM?  I make PCs for customers, and  I
> have to put RAM in them, so that is not an option.  The only real vote that
> can be taken in this arena is by the end-user.  They have to decide to hold
> off on a PC purchase until after the prices drop.  That is not an easy
> prospect.  I think we are all just stuck riding this one out.
>

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