doody wrote:
What's wrong with Synaptics? Everyone uses it... does MSI really need to cut cost until that extent?

could be as much a supply as a costs issue
You take a best guess at the amount of units you need and you place your order X weeks or months in advance. Get it right and you've got enough parts to see you through untill your next order is processed and completed.
Turns out you actually need twice as many as you initially thought you would during that time then tough shit you're at the back of the queue. You can waive all the money you like at them if the manufacturer of that component is tied up honouring other orders there isnt a lot they can do about it. So you then need to start fishing for an alternate supplier
Go the other way and overestimate and you're left with a bundle of components you no longer need.
The more experience and prior sales of a similar device you have under your belt the better the chance that your estimate will be on the money.
Build something new you've not sold the likes of before that turns out to be a runaway hit and you're always open to this sort of problem the first time around.
then again it could be synaptics competitors took MSIs cheif buyer to a bar full of large breasted women plied him with expensive drink and convinced him of the amazing benefits of touchpad corner scrolling over smelly old finger sliding
