HP is set to start pushing netbooks strongly and plans to become the second-largest netbook brand in 2011, surpassing Samsung Electronics and Asustek Computer.

Net Sales Improve 9.5% Year Over Year; MDI Awarded Custom Sensor for Measurement of Linear Position

Electronic Interconnect (EI) will exhibit at and participate in the upcoming Design-2-Part Show at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama, September 14-15, 2010.

Intel Corporation, Nokia and the University of Oulu have announced the establishment of their first joint research center. One of the first objectives of the new lab is to create new and compelling mobile user experiences that leverage the rapidly increasing capabilities of mobile devices.

Viking Modular Solutions, a division of Sanmina-SCI Corporation, and leading manufacturer of innovative DRAM modules and flash solutions, today announced that its SATADIMM is available for immediate customer qualification.

In the wake of the approval of the branding agreement with Founder Technology by its shareholders' meeting, Acer Inc. will focus on tapping China's notebook PC market in the hope of becoming China's second largest NB brand in the shortest time.

Panasonic will move a part of PDB facilities at its third domestic PDP plant in Amagasaki City, Japan, to Panasonic Plasma Display in Shanghai, to better respond to robust demand for flat-panel TVs in China.

Michael Dell, Chairman of the Board and CEO: "We continue to strengthen our portfolio of data center solutions at an aggressive pace with the addition of key IP, talent and technology. This quarter's results are a strong reflection of the progress we've made."

HP today announced financial results for its third fiscal quarter ended July 31, 2010, with net revenue of $30.7 billion, up 11.4% from a year earlier including a favorable currency benefit of approximately one percentage point.

Asustek was the second-largest NB brand in China market by edging out Hewlett Packard in the second quarter of this year, according to a survey by the International Data Corporation.

To better meet the high-level expectations and requirements set forth by the aerospace industry, Trilogy Circuits recently achieved AS9100B Aerospace Quality Standard System Certification for PCB layout, fabrication and assembly services.

The list of replacements for eutectic tin-lead keeps growing, and now, over three years after implementation of the lead-free mandate, new alloys are still being developed. How do you cut through the clutter and find the right alloy?

While many companies struggled to survive in 2009, Alfredo Ronca, of Global Interconnect Solutions, decided to start a PCB business catering to the North American OEM design market. Find out how the he plans to take designs from concept to mass production in 2010.

At the moment, the search for the Holy Grail--a solder that is a direct replacement for tin-lead--has lost a few participants, but the quest goes on within solder manufacturers. However, a replacement seems as elusive as the original.

This subcommittee is tasked with developing test methods specifically for evaluating high-speed/high-frequency boards and materials. Don DeGroot, President of CCNi, talks about a breakthrough in the group's efforts to provide a comprehensive test solution.

"We believe PC sales bottomed out during the first quarter and that the industry is returning to normal seasonal patterns," said Paul Otellini, Intel president and CEO. "Intel has adapted well to the current economic environment and we're benefiting from disciplined execution and agility."

Under Happy Holden's editorial direction, this definitive engineering textbook for electronics design, fabrication and assembly engineers will be distributed as a free download.

The EDA Consortium (EDAC) Market Statistics Service (MSS) announced that the electronic design automation (EDA) industry revenue for Q1 2008 declined 1.2 percent to $1350.7 million compared to $1366.8 million in Q1 2007.

I-Connect007 columnist Dan Feinberg meets with nVidia CEO Jen-Sun Huang on the first day of CES in Las Vegas.

Grace O'Malley talks about what iNEMI is doing in Europe and what technology roadmapping activity they are planning over the next year.

Don't be a victim of slash sheet confusion. Ask for and expect your suppliers to provide clean and real differentiations between their products. Make sure that when you buy a lower cost "alternative" that it is really the same thing you've been using.

The list of replacements for eutectic tin-lead keeps growing, and now, over three years after implementation of the lead-free mandate, new alloys are still being developed. How do you cut through the clutter and find the right alloy?

While many companies struggled to survive in 2009, Alfredo Ronca, of Global Interconnect Solutions, decided to start a PCB business catering to the North American OEM design market. Find out how the he plans to take designs from concept to mass production in 2010.

At the moment, the search for the Holy Grail--a solder that is a direct replacement for tin-lead--has lost a few participants, but the quest goes on within solder manufacturers. However, a replacement seems as elusive as the original.

This subcommittee is tasked with developing test methods specifically for evaluating high-speed/high-frequency boards and materials. Don DeGroot, President of CCNi, talks about a breakthrough in the group's efforts to provide a comprehensive test solution.

Counterfeit electronics is a trillion-dollar business that affects OEMs and EMS companies around the world. IPC presented a forum on counterfeit electronics during APEX, featuring speakers who are involved in the clash with the counterfeiters: Jim Williams of Polyonics, Brad Botwin of the Office of Technology Evaluation, Gene Panger of TUV Rheinland and Dennis Fritz of SAIC.

Will the Chinese government's economic stimulus plan reap benefits for our industry? One area that got an immediate boost is 3G infrastructure projects. Arlon Vice President of Sales Brad Foster and Steve Gold sat down during the CPCA show to discuss how government action led to growth in this higher-technology Chinese market.

Last week's CES provided an excellent opportunity for anyone who seriously wanted to see, discuss and try new products. A true value exists for members of the PCB and EMS industries to, once in a while, take a serious look at the end products and markets using and driving the demand for their products.

In 2007 Pentad Design, a design bureau specializing in embedded and mechanical engineering, decided to add PCB design services. Managers didn't expect a profit within the first year. But PCB design proved to be quite profitable after all.

Having been stung by RoHS and, in particular, lead-free, these leading companies have established efforts to get ahead of the curve by developing more environmentally friendly products, taking a "cradle-to-cradle" approach. They've decided it's time to get ahead of the environmental regulations coming down the pike.

Don't be a victim of slash sheet confusion. Ask for and expect your suppliers to provide clean and real differentiations between their products. Make sure that when you buy a lower cost "alternative" that it is really the same thing you've been using.

The list of replacements for eutectic tin-lead keeps growing, and now, over three years after implementation of the lead-free mandate, new alloys are still being developed. How do you cut through the clutter and find the right alloy?

While many companies struggled to survive in 2009, Alfredo Ronca, of Global Interconnect Solutions, decided to start a PCB business catering to the North American OEM design market. Find out how the he plans to take designs from concept to mass production in 2010.

At the moment, the search for the Holy Grail--a solder that is a direct replacement for tin-lead--has lost a few participants, but the quest goes on within solder manufacturers. However, a replacement seems as elusive as the original.

There's no doubt the first quarter of 2009 is going to be a bumpy ride for many companies up and down the electronics supply chain. But, as we watched the fear of a bad Christmas retail season turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy, we should take an important lesson away from that: Don't let our companies get bogged down with fear and negativity. In other words, this too shall pass.

In 2007 Pentad Design, a design bureau specializing in embedded and mechanical engineering, decided to add PCB design services. Managers didn't expect a profit within the first year. But PCB design proved to be quite profitable after all.

With Wall Street in a downward spiral, financial institutions imploding and Presidential candidates jockeying for position, what will it all mean for our industry? This week's edition of The Gold Record looks at whether or not the sky is really falling.