USB 3.0 chipmakers have recently started to push their chips in AMD's new Ontario and Zacate platform, which do not support USB 3.0 natively, and since AMD will not launch a platform with native USB 3.0-support until July, while Intel is set to launch Ivy Bridge with native support for USB 3.0 in January 2012, the chipmakers including NEC, ASMedia and Etron Technology should still be able to make profits for at least another year, according to sources from the chipmakers.

AMD is already set to include native support for four USB 3.0 ports on its upcoming 32nm Hudson-D3/M3 chipsets, which will pair with its 32nm Llano APU targeting mid-range/high-end notebooks and desktops as well as ultra-thin notebooks, in July.

Meanwhile, since the transition to USB 3.0 will be a huge process to handle, Intel is aiming to integrate USB 3.0 functions only in high-end motherboards initially to minimize the possible risks and will gradually increase the overall penetration to 80% by the end of 2012.

As more PC platforms and storage devices are starting to adopt USB 3.0, while both Intel and AMD will start pushing the new standard in near future, the sources expect demand for USB 3.0 devices to surge in 2011.

By: DocMemory
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