The growth of dynamic random access memory (DRAM) content in PCs is falling due to the rising popularity of ultrabooks and cloud computing, along with weak near-term economic conditions, according to HIS.
Published in a new IHS iSuppli DRAM Market Brief report, the study says average DRAM content this year in notebook computers is projected to amount 4.0 gigabytes (GB) per device, which is a decline from the original forecast of 4.2GB.
The disparity between the expectations of DRAM loading in notebooks and newer forecasts is only likely to grow in the next four years, the report states.
IHS principal analyst for DRAM and memory Mike Howard said, "Clearly, the era of PC DRAM growth of around 40 percent is a thing of the past."
Howard attributes it mainly to the rising popularity of ultrabooks. Ultrabooks, which are a new type of notebook PC, are designed to compete more effectively against a rising wave of competition from media tablets like Apple Inc.’s iPad, it was added.
Ultrabooks are defined as notebooks that are extremely light and thin, with a full PC operating system like Microsoft Windows.
