Flash memory and other semiconductor manufacturing uses equipment with a lot of similarities to the equipment used to make magnetic recording components.

FORBES: The Engines of Innovation

Sandisk sells memory cards to a number of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

FORBES: Mobile Memory Makes SanDisk A Winner

Lately, companies such as STEC have been improving solid-state memory so that it better suits larger scale equipment such as PCs and servers--Seagate's sweet spot.

FORBES: Seagate Sues Emerging Rival

Whereas creating a memory-chip industry is mostly a matter of buying fabrication equipment off the shelf, classier chips require lots of well-trained engineers, research and technology partners elsewhere in the computer industry.

ECONOMIST: Semiconductors