Asustek Computer and ASRock have recently placed orders to chip maker Fresco Logic for its FL1000 USB 3.0 host chip, which was recently certified by USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), according to sources from the companies.
ASRock plans to adopt the solution for its motherboards, while Asustek is already testing the solution in its notebook products.
Fresco Logic also has a new two-port USB 3.0 host chip, the FL1009, currently going through certification and expects the new chip to be certified by the first quarter of 2011; however, the company declined to comment on its clients.
Currently, Japan-based NEC, which merged with Renesas in 2009, and Fresco Logic are the only two firms that have USB 3.0 host chip products with USB-IF certification.
Since Intel Sandy Bridge's USB 3.0 support is designed with NEC's solution as a reference and several notebook vendors have already started mass producing related models, NEC's solution will continue to have the advantage until March 2011, and other USB 3.0 chipmakers are unlikely to start seeing obvious shipment growth until the second quarter.
As smaller USB 3.0 chipmakers are gradually receiving certification, NEC has already adjusted pricing for its USB 3.0 solutions, first-tier PC brand have been given quotes of about US$2-3, while second-tier players have been quoted at around US$3-4.