NAND flash revenue spikes amid Ultrabook growth

Research firm IHS iSuppi predicts the NAND flash memory market will grow a "healthy" 8 percent in 2012 due largely to the emergence of the Ultrabook™ computer and its reliance on solid-state drive (SSD) technology.

IHS says NAND flash revenue will reach nearly $23 billion this year. By 2016, that figure is expected to climb to more than $30 billion.

NAND flash is a vital part of SSDs, the on-board storage devices found in all Ultrabooks, as well as most tablet computers and smartphones. According to the research firm, PCs will account for more than 15 percent of the NAND flash supply this year.

Tablet computers, meanwhile, will account for 12 percent of the NAND flash supply, as NAND flash consumption by these devices is expected to reach 3.6 billion gigabytes this year. IHS notes that tablets have underwhelmed NAND industry expectations so far, but the technology is starting to pick up the pace.

It may be the Ultrabook that ultimately takes the NAND flash market to new heights. Chipmaker Intel® reportedly estimates Ultrabook sales will reach as many as 30 million units this year, and could possibly triple in 2013.