Cheap PCB fab place (for non-urgent stuff)

We don't like Q/DFNs because they're harder reflow reliably, particularly with RoHS solder. BGAs above .8mm, OTOH, are simple so we use them whenever possible. There is rarely a choice between packages this diverse though.

Unfortunately the SSOP versions of some of my favorite chips are out of stock very often while there's always some DFN on the shelf. No idea why people seem to prefer them, maybe because they use a smidgen less real estate. It's like with chocolate, my wife craves noisette cream chocolates but they only have all the others on the shelf. Life's like a box of ... wait, didn't Forrest Gump's mom say that?

Maybe people like the SSOPs, so buy them all. ;-)

I guess I never compare availability since we wouldn't think of using a DFN if a SSOP was an alternative. Unfortunately, D/QFNs are all that's available in many regulators and codecs.

Because they've sold all the good stuff.

DFNs? No, I don't remember that part.

The amazing part is the 'PMS'.