USS Clueless Stardate 20010628.0729

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Stardate 20010628.0729 (On Screen via long range sensors): This is decidedly bizarre. Dell has put a marketing survey online asking for opinions about processors. (Here's the chance of all Mac fans to vote for the PPC, not that there's any chance of Dell bringing out a computer based on it. I don't understand why they even included that, frankly.)

This could be interpreted two different ways. First, Dell might actually be considering breaking with its historical Intel-exclusive policy and bringing out an Athlon-based computer. The rumors have been that they're working on a notebook computer with a Palomino in it. Or...

Or they might be looking for marketing ammunition. It is interesting that this survey includes a place where you are supposed to rate Intel and AMD on a number of characteristics. If one of those comes out seriously favoring Intel, and if Dell decides it wants to stay the course with Intel, then that characteristic would get heavily featured in Dell's advertising.

The mere fact that they're asking is significant, however, and indicates how deep of trouble Intel really is in, and how much of a threat AMD has become. Intel says it wants to regain 80% market share. AMD is going to try for 30%. They can't both succeed, but the historical timeline favors AMD on this one, and in my opinion so do the products being offered right now. Intel is in trouble because the Pentium IV is not what it should have been. And it's going to get worse before it gets better. Dell is the only remaining major PC maker who does not offer AMD. If they, too, break ranks then it's going to be a major black-eye for Intel. (discuss)

Captured by MemoWeb from http://denbeste.nu/entries/00000172.shtml on 9/16/2004