Storage analyst Matt Bryson of Avian Securities reported May 7 that Western Digital is gaining further share in the notebook market at the expense of Japanese vendors — to the tune of a half-million drives.
“This practice fits with WD’s past willingness to give up some gross margin points in return for gains at the operating margin line. In turn, we believe these share gains help put WD on track to exceed conservative guidance for the June quarter,” Bryson told eWEEK in an e-mail.
Other items Bryson is reporting today:
–Drive makers, including Western Digital and TDK, are finding the transition to 250GB platter products to be a “much more formidable challenge” than the previous shifts to 125GB and 160GB densities.
–Western Digital’s rollout of its new 2.5-inch VelociRaptor in April is “a precursor” to the company entering the SAS market likely later in 2008.
–Finally, Western Digital may be developing a drive that will include native USB 3.0 connectivity that “would likely gain even further share in the USB attached and consumer markets.”
Interesting info. Thanks, Matt.