I don't know why Maxim makes it so difficult for small companies to design with their components. I am developing a new consumer electronics product. Unfortunately, I planned to use 4 Maxim chips that are hard to find in small quantities (1-40). Standard distributors like Arrow, Mouser and Digikey don't cary them. These components are excellent matches for my design needs. Maxim offers some of their ICs for purchasing on their website, but not the ones listed below. Perhaps someone can recommend a broker or exchange website where rare Maxim components can be purchased at reasonable prices. I would love to find alternatives to these components if someone can offer some advice. National, Linear and Analog devices simply cant match the selection, sophistication and price of switching regulators and battery charging ICs. Please feel free to recommend other IC manuafacturers that specialize in these types of components.
DS2745 Low Cost I2C Battery Monitor (chosen for its ability to cumulatively measure voltage & current to estimate battery life, + its low cost, $1@1K)
MAX1724 1.5=B5A IQ, Step-Up DC-DC Converters in Thin SOT23-5 (chosen for its ultra low quiescent current, only needs a 10uh inductor, has built in FET, very few external components, low cost $1.45 @ 1K)