I just learned that USB memory pricing is on the rise. Apparently, our favorite consumer products company – Apple - has committed to purchase about 70% of the market of chips available for an upcoming product launch. While this directly impacts 8GB and higher capacities, it substantially increases the 1GB, 2GB and 4GB as well.

In the past, the increase in pricing for USB's lasts only a few months. We also observed that during the weeks before the official product launch, there is virtually no availability for shipping air cargo out of China and if you are lucky enough to find a carrier, the pricing is outrageous. It seems that Apple books every available cubic foot of cargo space.  Last year, we had air cargo sit in line for 15 days waiting for space on a cargo aircraft because of the iPad shipments taking priority.

If you need USB drives, either buy them now to wait a few months.  If you need product out of China in a hurry, then prepare to reset your expectations.