[sdiy] Chip prices today and what about tomorrow?

[harrybissell]

Paul Schreiber wrote:  <snipp'd and clipp'd>

> I personally think that after July 1 2006, the US holders of DIP ICs are going
> to dump 95% of them in the trash. In Europe, that will be Jan 1.

what ?  I AGREE with PS ???   :^P

This is totally true. Anything that is leaded (not SMT) or leaded (has Pb) is
going to be trashed.  Be there at your companies dumpster that day... or better
yet... go to purchasing and offer to buy it all at .02 on the dollar. They'll box it
up
for you.  :^P


> There is going
> to be a HUGE upswing as the paradigm shifts from repair/maintain to *replace*.
> Think of it this way: EVERYTHING you can purchase today at Best Buy will be in a
> landfill 4 years from now.

Yes... but probably not because its broken. Our throwaway society is being enticed
to 'shop till you drop'.   Can I live without an I-pod ?  I think yes. Ditto the FCP
:^P
Oh, you need a HIGH DEFINITION TV... yeah right... to watch Oprah Winfrey ?????

> In other words, the *technology is no longer of value*. The value is more or
> less *assumed*, and now it's more based on *need*. And most electronic things we
> really don't *need*. The public is now desensitized except possibly large plasma
> TV that are "too expensive" at the same price point that I bought a NEC
> MultiSync II monitor for in 1988. The technology in cell phones should really be
> valued at $1200 (DSPs/RF/cameras/software/packaging and mechanical content)

Cellphones should rot in HELL. Even BBDs seem positively angelic in that company :^P

> The point is: DIP ICs with lead are a "double whammy". How many DIP ICs with
> lead will be in new products this time next year? Virtually NONE.
>
> So either get 'em while the gettins' good (as Granny like to say)

(iirc Granny said  GIT 'em while...  but I'm just being fussy...)

> or shift over
> to SMT, which is NOT that bad, really. I suppose it requires a CAD system of
> sorts. Save your $$$, sell some gear, get the CAD and never look back. There is
> no dishonor in soldering to a nice pc board rather than perf board (sorry JH!).

Yack.   (ok JH... when I kneel down behind him... you give him a push :^)

H^) harry   (last perf board used was about 4:00pm today...)