The study, ‘Worldwide Desktop and Mobile PC Semiconductor Forecast 2003-2008’, says that the inflection point in the recovery of the PC semiconductor market during 2004 depends on the factors that were missing at the end of 2003. Beyond economic growth and the seasonal uplift, a continuing recovery will require sales to both consumers and corporations. IDC predicts that overall (desktop plus mobile) PC semiconductor revenue will grow 18.0 percent to $53.6 billion in 2004, the highest annual growth rate during the study’s forecast period. From 2003 to 2008, IDC forecasts that the PC semiconductor market will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.8 percent, rising from $45.4 billion to $66.1 billion.

(March 11, 2004) Fayetteville, Ark.&#8212Disposable cell phones, flexible computer screens and wristwatch computers could be within technology’s grasp if organic plastics and electronic materials are combined to share a few traits. Plastic is cheap and flexible but slow in conducting electricity; while semiconductors are fast and “smart” in electronics, but are heavy, brittle and expensive.