HP has reportedly asked its suppliers to extend lead times for notebooks from one month to six months, with no significant change in full-year shipment volumes. This move is interpreted as an attempt by HP to preempt potential component price increases by building inventory, rather than an indication of increased notebook shipments or improved memory supply and end-market demand. The report suggests that suppliers are unlikely to build inventory at the requested level without upfront payments, but some incremental stocking could create a false impression of order growth.