ConsumerIT - For Europe's High Volume PC Retailers, Distributors & Builders

Scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) might have the means for the future's personal quantum computers-- via commercial microwave technology.

Their experiment involves manipulating the quantum properties of two separate ions (electrically charged atoms) via microwaves instead of the traditional laser beams, on desktop-scale equipment only around one-tenth of the size previously required.

One still needs low-power UV lasers to observe results, but these come in sizes as small as those in portable DVD players.

What are this experiment's implications? It could replace current quantum computing's "laser parks" (coming in room-filling sizes) with miniature microwave technology similar to that in smartphones.

The use of commercial technologies may also make quantum computers feasible sometime within our lifetimes-- making it more likely that we might see personal quantum computers in the near future.

NIST physicist Dietrich Liefried predicts "...a modest-sized quantum computer could eventually look like a smart phone combined with a laser pointer-like device, while sophisticated machines might have an overall footprint comparable to a regular desktop PC."

Go NIST Demonstrates First Quantum Entanglement of Ions Using Microwaves

TrendForce's DRAMeXchange division reports the NAND flash market remains weak, with MLC NAND flash ASPs decreasing by -1-2% and TLC NAND flash by -4-7%.

The reasons for such market weakness include an uncertain global economy, underperforming NAND flash product shipments and inventory buildup leading to delays in inventory stocking in Q3 2011.

An improving economy should lead to increases in both market confidence and holiday purchasing in Q4 2011-- leading to inventory level decrease and growing demand for new products after August 2011.

DRAMeXchange predicts NAND flash contract prices should stablise by that time-- but NAND flash prices will continue depending on market conditions during Q4 2011.

Go DRAM eXchange NAND Flash Market Tracker

Gartner reports Q2 2011 W. European PC shipments total 12.7M-- with a -18.9% Y-o-Y decline, down from Q2 2010 shipments totals of 15.6M.

Both consumer and professional sector suffer from weak demand as the market faces inventory issues, thanks to overstocking back in 2010.

Netbooks see a -53% Y-o-Y decrease in shipments as the entire mobile PC market declines by 20.4%, while desktop PC shipments decline by -15.4% Y-o-Y.

The above reflects the consumer PC market in general, whose Q2 2011 sees the market's biggest decline-- -27% Y-o-Y.

Softening the negative economic outlook is the professional segment's migration to Windows 7-- professional PC shipments decline by only -9%.

According to Gartner these results not only point out the consumer segment's ongoing lack of demand, but also a possible structural change within the market-- one to potentially continue in the near future.

Q2 2011 sees Acer losing its position on top of the market, thanks to significant inventory adjustments and decreasing notebook sales. Acer shipments decline by a total of -44.6% Y-o-Y.

HP takes its place, with a 25.1% share of the W. European PC market. Following is Dell, with declines of -12.7% and 10.8% market share.

All vendors share 2 factors in common, as mentioned earlier-- declining consumer demand and falling notebook shipments. However, one has to keep in mind Gartner does not count tablets in its shipment totals.

Go Gartner W. Europe PC Market Tracker

Dutch retailer Free Record Shop reports its return to profits worth €2.2M in 2010, following its 2009 losses.

Free Record Shop's 2009 ended with -€1.2M in losses.

The retailer attributes this success to closing its vanLeest head office (before consolidating it with their HQ operations), as well as its move towards lower margin products (primarily games software and hardware).

Despite falling sales, it still reports profits growing by nearly 5% Y-o-Y.

Free Record Shop's Belgium outles see "significant" growth in sales as the retailer took over 10 former Sonica/Extrazone retail outlets, while Free Record Shop Netherlands sees sales declines.

Its online presence is also growing-- with online sales increasing by over 44%.

Go Free Record Shop 2010 Results