December 1997 |
| Updated December 30, 1997 | ||
How
Far Can Intel Go?
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When the U.S. Federal Trade Commission
(FTC) launched a new antitrust investigation of Intel a
few months ago, the usual tales made the rounds: stories of Intel threatening to cut off supplies of its processors to system makers that purchased from Intel competitors or otherwise transgressed. Intel denies all of these tales, of course, forcing the FTC to sift through a mountain of paperwork seeking the proverbial smoking gun. Intel freely admits, however, to making a different kind of threat, one that may ultimately catch the FTC's attention. |
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| Updated December 23, 1997 | ||
Pentium II package may changeBy Michael Kanellos December 22, 1997 |
Intel (INTC) is contemplating changing
its distinctive "Slot 1" design on certain
upcoming versions of the Pentium II chip as a way to
drive down costs. The debate reflects the balancing act the company faces as it tries to accommodate its premier processor to the wide spectrum of computing devices. On one hand, Intel wants to make Pentium II chips for everything from expensive eight-processor servers to set-top boxes costing $300 to $500. On the other, the company acknowledges that this creates cost/design issues. |
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Performance Flaw in Pentium Processor?Intelligent Firmware |
We have discovered some very significant things that affect the most important aspect of today's processors: memory bandwidth. Normally a Pentium processor with EDO memory and a recent chip-set should be able to read from its main memory at about 185 Mbytes per second. | |
| Updated December 22, 1997 | ||
Time
Magazine Man of the Year
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Fifty years ago this week--shortly after lunch on Dec. 23, 1947--the Digital Revolution was born. It happened on a drizzly Tuesday in New Jersey, when two Bell Labs scientists demonstrated a tiny contraption they had concocted from some strips of gold foil, a chip of semiconducting material and a bent paper clip. As their colleagues watched with a mix of wonder and envy, they showed how their gizmo, which was dubbed a transistor, could take an electric current, amplify it and switch it on and off. | |
Time chooses Grove its Man of the YearBy Tom Quinlan December 21, 1997 |
Intel Corp. Chairman Andrew Grove was
named Time magazine's Man of the Year -- a choice
reflecting the global movement into the Digital
Revolution. The man who fosters a corporate environment where paranoia breeds success and the head of Silicon Valley's most influential semiconductor company joins the ranks of world leaders in receiving the global award. |
Related Stories |
Firm
mirrors its leader: ferociously competitive
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He's Horatio Alger writ large. If the Andrew Grove story were a novel, it would be almost unbelievable. Grove was deaf after a childhood bout with scarlet fever and persecuted and forced into hiding by the Nazis because of his Jewish heritage. He was driven to leave his home by the Soviet invasion of Hungary in 1956 without speaking a word of English -- and is now the head of one of the 10 largest companies in America. |
Related Stories |
| Updated December 20, 1997 | ||
x86 twist in Sun patent pactBy Alexander Wolfe December 19, 1997 |
A broad patent cross-licensing deal just
inked by microprocessor rivals Intel Corp. and Sun
Microsystems Inc. specifically excludes all of Intel's
x86-related patents, a source close to the company said.
Officials at Intel declined to comment. That news should quash uninformed speculation that Sun is mulling a possible future path away from its RISC-based Sparc processors and toward Intel's IA-64 architecture. Such talk temporarily surfaced this week, in the wake of the cross-licensing pact and the disclosure of a second agreement between Intel and Sun, under which Sun said it would port its Unix-like Solaris operating system to Intel's upcoming 64-bit Merced microprocessor. |
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Wintel
Watch
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Launching yet another x86 microprocessor into a field already crowded with clones isn't a good way to bet your company's future. But that's just what two startups and one CPU stalwart are doing, in a bid to beat Intel at its own game. | |
| Updated December 19, 1997 | ||
Intel's fantastic pipe dreamBy Robert Lemos December 18, 1997 |
Intel Corp. CEO Andy Grove has a pipe
dream -- a broadband pipe dream, that is. On Thursday, the Santa Clara, Calif., seller of computer chips announced its investment into broadband software maker The Fantastic Corporation. Far from indicating a change in strategy, the move heralds Intel's push along old party lines -- more bandwidth means more number crunching, and that requires bigger Intel processors. |
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Will Merced be Rhapsodized?By Jim Davis December 17 |
Sun Microsystems (SUNW) saw the
handwriting on the wall and decided to have its operating
system run on Intel's (INTC) upcoming 64-bit processor.
Is Apple Computer (AAPL) next? Sun and Intel signed an agreement this week to have the Solaris operating system run on the next-generation Intel Merced processor and to cross-license technologies. Sun's Solaris OS currently runs mainly on its own Sparc RISC processors. |
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Pentium II goes HollywoodBy Michael Kanellos December 17, 1997 |
Pursuing its stated goal of becoming the
standard bearer for graphical computing on Windows NT,
Intergraph today released a relatively inexpensive
Pentium II-based design that can compete in the film
production arena. The Studio Z RenderRAX II is a
computer optimized to handle rendering, the |
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Sun Gives Merced More MomentumBy Kelly Spang & Joe Wilcox Dec. 18, 1997 |
Sun Microsystems Inc.'s decision to port
Solaris to the new 64-bit Intel architecture adds
momentum to Merced and fortifies Solaris against the
Windows NT tide. Intel Corp. is the big winner, rallying
three Unix vendors--Hewlett-Packard Co. and Digital
Equipment Corp. are already onboard--behind Merced. The
only holdout is IBM. Merced, the first processor in the IA-64 architecture, is slated for delivery in 1999. The backbone of the architecture is Explicit Parallel Instruction Computing, or EPIC, which enables the processor to execute multiple instructions at the same time. The IA-64 architecture will offer backward-compatibility for 32-bit applications and operating systems, said Intel officials. |
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Pentium II PC descends to $1,200By Jim Hu December 18, 1997 |
China's Legend Group has introduced a
$1,200 Pentium II system with monitor, a move that
appears to be aimed at solidifying its position as the
top PC vendor in mainland China. Legend's new Benyue model is priced at 9999 renminbi (about $1,207), and comes with a 233-MHz Intel Pentium II processor, 32MB of memory, a 2GB hard drive, and a 14-inch monitor, according to Legend vice president Yang Yuanqing and industry observers. |
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| Updated December 17, 1997 | ||
Sun
on 64-bit Intel:
|
The tricky part of the Sun
Microsystems-Intel deal is recruitment of Intel-based
hardware and software vendors to the Solaris platform,
with analysts questioning how and under what terms this
support will come. The two computer industry giants signed an agreement today to allow Sun's Solaris operating system to run on the next-generation Intel "Merced" processor, and agreed on the cross-licensing of technologies. |
Related Stories |
AMD mulls steep January price cutsBy Mark Harrington December 16, 1997 |
Avanced Micro Devices may deliver
planned price cuts on its K6 microprocessors as early as
the first week in January, according to a market source. The cuts, which the source characterized as steep, were originally slated for Feb. 1. |
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| Updated December 16, 1997 | ||
Intel, Sun to team on chipsBy Brooke Crothers December 16, 1997 |
Intel (INTC) and Sun Microsystems (SUNW)
will announce an agreement today to cooperate on
next-generation Intel processor technology. The two computer giants are expected to announce an agreement centered on Intel’s 64-bit Merced processor technology, due in 1999, and Sun software, according to sources familiar with the announcement. |
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Intel Extends Offer For Chips and TechBy Mark Hachman December 16, 1997 |
As the Federal Trade Commission
continues to investigate Intel Corp. for possible
anti-competitive practices, the company's proposed
acquisition of Chips & Technologies has been delayed
again. Citing a request for additional information as required under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, Intel, Santa Clara Calif., announced that the acquisition would be delayed at least until 8 p.m. on January 19, 1998. |
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| Updated December 12, 1997 | ||
Can Andy Grove keep profits up in an era of cheap PCs?December 12, 1997 Business Week |
It wasn't too long ago that Intel Corp. executives were so dismissive of personal computers priced below $1,000 that they called them Segment Zero--a dumping ground for inventory close-outs and bottom-feeding PC cloners selling yesterday's technology. Instead, Intel held to the high ground, pushing pricey chips that could run the newest, coolest software. Not coincidentally, those chips helped produce the juiciest gross profit margins, some 60% overall, one of the highest in high tech. | Related Stories |
'WE
PUSH TECHNOLOGY AS FAST AS WE CAN'
|
Few technology executives have had the success of Intel Corp. CEO Andrew S. Grove. In one of the fastest-changing businesses today, Grove has managed to keep Intel ahead of the pack in everything from PCs to videoconferencing. Along the way, Intel has captured some 90% of the PC microprocessor market and, by charging top dollar for its chips, become one of the most profitable companies in the world. Correspondent Andy Reinhardt spent a couple of hours with Grove at the company's headquarters talking about Intel's latest quick change--engineering chips specifically for cheap PCs and low-cost devices, a first in Intel's 29-year history. | Related Stories |
| Updated December 10, 1997 | ||
Bridge chips target Socket 7 desktop, portable PCsBy Anthony Cataldo December 10, 1997 |
Acer Laboratories Inc. has unveiled a
Socket 7-compatible chip set--the Aladdin V--for desktop
and portable systems. Both versions are intended to be
compatible with forthcoming CPUs with 100-MHz buses
expected from Advanced Micro Devices and Cyrix Corp., as
well as with all other Socket 7 processors with lower CPU
bus frequencies. The chip set arrives as Intel Corp. prepares to release its own 440BX chip set for Pentium II systems, which includes a 100-MHz front-side bus link to the CPU. It is due by the first half of 1998. |
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Intel shows low-end chip set for stripped-down Pentium IIBy Mark LaPedus December 9, 1997 |
Taking another step into the low-end PC
market, Intel Corp. is quietly showing a new family of
personal-computer chip sets designed for use in its
upcoming line of stripped-down, Pentium II processors. Santa Clara, Calif.-based Intel also has cut the price in Taiwan for its high-end, 440LX line of PC chip sets in a move to spur demand for its current Pentium II chips, according to industry sources here. |
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Intel sees Web driving Pentium IIBy Reuters December 9, 1997 |
Intel (INTC) expects new electronic business applications and multimedia-intensive advertising on the Internet will help drive sales of its top-of-the-line Pentium II microprocessor. | |
| Updated December 9, 1997 | ||
AMD
Seeking Leadership Role
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AMD's recent moves in the x86 business
reveal a bold plan to take a leadership role rather than
to simply follow Intel. This approach gives AMD new
opportunity, but it also raises the bar for success. Although AMD was a licensed alternate source for the 8086 and 80286, the company has had to chart its own path since then. AMD produced 386 and 486 microprocessors that were close derivatives of Intel's designs, even though Intel didn't cooperate. Seeing that this strategy wasn't going to work in the long run, however, AMD finally broke free of dependence on Intel's designs and set about creating its own processor designs that implement Intel's instruction set. |
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Intel's
Road to Merced
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Intel's upcoming processors Deschutes
(due in the first quarter of next year) and Merced (due
in 1999) have become buzzwords, and now some of the
company's interim processor plans for 1998 are coming
into clearer focus. At this year's Microprocessor Forum, the Merced IA-64 chip drew much discussion for its new instruction-set architecture, designed to leapfrog those of current RISC processors. Both Merced and the next-generation IA-32 chip Willamette aren't due until 1999, though. By the end of 1998, users can expect to see a new Pentium II design--code-named Katmai--which will add a set of enhanced instructions to the existing MMX multimedia instructions, as well as a new core-logic chip set designed to boost Pentium II speeds to 450 MHz. |
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| Updated December 8, 1997 | ||
A humbled Intel redraws PC road map for digital TVBy Junko Yoshida December 8, 1997 |
Admitting the "smashing
failure" of its initial digital-TV strategy, Intel
Corp. has laid out new plans--independently of DTV Team
partners Compaq and Microsoft--for bringing the PC into
the digital-television age. The plan calls for the development of PCs that receive all DTV format TV broadcasts specified by the Advanced Television System Committee (ATSC) spec; Intel-architecture-based hardware reference designs for four DTV set-top categories (basic set-top box, entry-level set-top computer, premium set-top computer and full-blown PC theater); and the formation of an industry-wide Open Digital Broadcast Initiative, which would develop "video plus data" bit-stream specifications and HTML extensions. |
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| Updated December 4, 1997 | ||
Intel Unfolds Pentium II Road MapBy Mitch Wagner December 2, 1997 |
Intel is cooking up upgrade plans for
faster, less expensive Pentium II chips, while also
unveiling guidelines designed to extend battery life on
notebook computers. The semiconductor giant is developing the next step up in power with a new line of Pentium II microprocessors, code named Katmai, scheduled for release in early 1999. The Katmai chip includes enhanced MMX multimedia instructions for improved 3-D graphics performance, according to insiders. |
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Intel aims low for new computerBy Brooke Crothers December 3, 1997 |
Intel (INTC) today offered design
guidelines for network computers and other inexpensive
devices, underscoring the chip giant's efforts toward
low-cost computing. The company detailed specifications for a "lean client" design targeted at establishing standards for very-low-cost business computers, a market it has scoffed at in the past. The guidelines also cover server computers, to which these devices will be connected. |
Related Stories |
Vendors Pledge Support For Intel NC SpecificationBy Kelly Spang December 3, 1997 |
Leading software and hardware companies
are supporting Intel Corp.'s new "lean client"
specification, which is aimed at the emerging network
computer (NC) market. Attacking the market from both ends, Intel is developing guidelines for PC makers to build "lean clients," as well as network servers to support those clients. The reference specification for the lean clients will span the spectrum from Net PCs to dumb-terminal replacement products, according to Intel executives. |
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| Updated December 3, 1997 | ||
Intel to map low-cost designsBy Brooke Crothers December 2, 1997 |
Intel will offer design guidelines
Wednesday for network computers and other inexpensive
devices, underscoring a clear trend at the chip maker
toward low-cost computing. The chip giant will detail guidelines for a "lean client" design targeted at establishing standards for very-low-cost business computers, a market it scoffed at in the past. The guidelines will also cover server computers, which these devices will connect to. |
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| Updated December 2, 1997 | ||
AMD Hints Of Big K6 Win In ChinaBy Mark LaPedus December 2, 1997 |
Advanced Micro Devices Inc. managers
here today claimed AMD has scored a major design win for
its K6 processor line with China's largest PC maker,
Legend Holdings Ltd. The personal computer company has
been Intel Corp.'s biggest microprocessor customer in
China. "AMD is providing the K6 to three of the top four PC makers in China,'' said W.J. Sanders III, chairman and chief executive of AMD, during a press conference in Taipei, Taiwan, today. ``The top (Chinese PC maker) has just placed an order for the K6 with us, although I don't think we have announced that yet.'' |
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AMD's Sanders Addresses TaiwanBy Mark LaPedus December 1, 1997 |
In his first-ever visit to Taiwan, W.J. Sanders III, chairman and chief executive of Advanced Micro Devices Inc., here today attempted to drum up more support for the company's K6 processor among the island's chip-set, board, and PC suppliers. | |
Intel Preps Road Warrior ChipsBy Kimberly Caisse & Kelly Spang December 1, 1997 |
Intel Corp. plans next year to fill out
its mobile chip line with faster processors and better
support for graphics. The new processors promise to make notebook computers as powerful as PCs, which could help VARs sell portables as desktop replacements. |
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| Updated December 1, 1997 | ||
| Intel
readies Pentium II notebook PC guidelines By Michael Kanellos November 25, 1997 |
Next Monday, Intel will
release the Mobile Power Guidelines, a series of hardware
and software specifications for keeping power consumption
levels on Pentium II notebook PCs down to acceptable
levels. The guidelines, which have been devised by a number of manufacturers, will likely play a pivotal role in the further evolution of notebooks based around Intel architectures. Over the years, as notebooks have made big strides in performance, they have also increasingly consumed more power, which means more heat and less battery life. |
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