- Micron says consumers continue to be served despite ending Crucial brand
- Enterprise DRAM demand now consumes more than half of the global memory supply.
- Adjusting output for different DRAM sizes can reduce overall output
Micron has addressed criticism following its recent decision to retire the Crucial memory and SSD brand, clarifying that the company is not abandoning consumers completely.
The announcement comes after months of speculation that Micron is prioritizing enterprise-grade DRAM and storage for AI projects, leaving PC makers and hobbyists facing supply shortages and rising prices.
In a recent WCCFtech In the interview, Christopher Moore, Micron’s vice president of marketing for mobile and customer business, emphasized that the company continues to supply memory to OEMs, including LPDDR5 modules for laptops, while reallocating resources toward high-demand enterprise sectors.
Rising demand for AI puts pressure on memory supply
Moore acknowledged that the growth of data centers and demand for AI has dramatically changed the market, with enterprise requirements now consuming 50% to 60% of the total memory supply.
He noted that this is not just a Micron problem, as the entire industry is experiencing shortages, forcing manufacturers to prioritize production where it is needed most.
Adjusting production to different DRAM sizes can reduce overall production, and Micron is working with customers to stabilize demand so that supply can be maximized across all segments.
Micron’s move is part of an AI-focused pivot, which includes increasing enterprise SSD production and dedicating a significant portion of its production to AI computing infrastructure.
Moore emphasized that the company remains committed to consumers, stating that they are being served through different channels, with continuous shipments of memory and portable SSD solutions through leading original equipment manufacturers.
The company maintains its partnerships with PC brands such as Dell and Asus to ensure that consumer devices continue to receive DRAM and storage modules.
It has also been expanding its production capacity, including its ID1 facility in Idaho and a $100 billion megafactory in New York.
Moore clarified that while these projects will increase production, significant production is not expected until 2028, after qualification and customer acceptance.
For consumers, this means that DRAM shortages and high prices may persist for several years, particularly for DIY builders or those looking to upgrade with higher-capacity SSDs or memory modules.
Micron is vigilant to ensure better service to its customers because suppliers in China and elsewhere have helped strengthen the industry.
This competition is healthy and will likely help the DRAM market recover.
Technically, Micron is still supporting the consumer market, but it’s hard not to notice that the company is shifting toward artificial intelligence and enterprise memory.
It clearly prioritizes large-scale infrastructure, leaving individuals and hobbyists to face supply constraints for the foreseeable future.
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