Mark LaPedus EE Times (03/17/2010 7:34 PM EST)

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Who is the largest buyer of chips?

Hewlett-Packard Co. is projected to be the top OEM semiconductor spender in 2010, according to iSuppli Corp.

HP will retain the position after taking the No.-1 spot away from Nokia Inc., which fell to third place in 2009. HP will spend an estimated $12.6 billion this year, compared to $10.99 billion in 2009, according to iSuppli.

In second place, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. is expected to spend $12.5 billion, compared to $10.3 billion last year. Samsung is projected to take over the No.-1 title in 2011, according to the firm.

Following Nokia in third place, Apple will become the fourth largest spender in 2010, moving past Dell. Though not even appearing in the ranks of the Top-10 semiconductor purchasers before 2006, Apple started advancing after introducing the iPhone in 2007 and is expected to surpass Nokia to land at No. 3 in 2011.

The top EMS spenders in 2010 will include Foxconn, Flextronics, Jabil Circuit and Celestica. Foxconn's spending will reach $22.6 billion in 2010, up 18.7 percent from $19.0 billion in 2009.

Following Foxconn in second place will be Flextronics, projected to spend $7 billion in 2010, up 8.8 percent from $6.4 billion last year.

Semiconductor spending in 2010 among OEMs (OEMs) and EMS providers will post double-digit increases. Among electronic equipment OEMs, spending in 2010 will rise to $177.9 billion, up 13 percent from $157.0 billion in 2009.

iSuppli forecasts that the total spend by EMS providers in 2010 will amount to $37.7 billion, up 15.1 percent from $32.8 billion in 2009.

iSuppli's top 20 OEMs ranked by semiconductor spending in 2010 in millions of U.S. dollars (click on image to enlarge).

Click on image to enlarge.