Samsung has started production of engineering samples of 1Gb SDRAM chips, it has announced. The chips use .18 micron technology and will eventually be fitted to memory modules creating 2Gb DIMMs, said Samsung. Samples are already with Intel, Compaq and IBM. Although it is likely to be some time before full scale production begins, the speed and size of the chips could mean they supplant hard drive technology. Roy Taylor, joint managing director of Vanguard Microelectronics UK, said: "It's technology that's very interesting and it shows they've got a strong lead. Silicon design is different from process design but Samsung is good at both." ® Click here for more stories