It could be longer. I hate to be a pessimist but I wouldn't be surprised if this lasts 5-10 years. The fear that is perpetrating the markets has not gone away. That's why the international stock markets are still generally heading down. Until the attitude changes, the slump isn't going away.

TSMC Executive Sees Chip Industry Recovery in Three Years

I read it differently. He sees that the next 3 years are going to be BAD TIMES (in terms on revenue) across the industry. And this is a minimum. There isnt going to be some magic recovery next year or in 2011. That's the key point. And that there are going to be winners and losers. Some companies will fall. Others will come and be strong (building on a different economic paradigm).

He's not predicting industry recovery within three years.

Mr. Chang said the industry, which has been hard hit by the global economic slowdown, was "pretty close" to the bottom

Note that he is also stating is HASNT hit bottom yet. He is expecting further consolidation.

I think he is right. While we "enthusiasts" will keep spending, corporate budgets will be held closed for a while. No discretionary spend. Productivity systems are broadly in place. Upgrade lifecycle can be extended over a longer period.

Ive been out of the loop for so long that i'm not considered a enthusiast anymore.

ROFL!



I see what you mean... LOL. Nice museum piece.

Don't panic... you arent too far behind my legacy system.

@lemonadesoda: Ah, yes. I was taking it like he thought the memory industry would rebound by 2012. That just isn't going to happen. Hopefully it won't get much worse by 2012 but it for sure isn't going to get much better. Markets crash fast and recover slow.