Skeeter Bug,
If you believe that AMD has suddenly become the microprocessor technology leader, with all the R&D that that includes, I won't argue with you.
Tom's Hardware (and you) would do well to read the entire Rambus SEC document, rather then taking one paragraph that supports your argument. This from the SEC report (my bold):
Future Dependence upon PC Main Memory Market Segment and Intel. An important
part of the Company's strategy is to penetrate the market segment for PC main
memory. Rambus believes that PC main memory currently accounts for
approximately one-half of all DRAMs sold. In November 1996, Rambus signed a
development and license contract with Intel Corporation which provides for the
parties to cooperate in the development of a specification for an extension of
the RDRAM optimized for PC main memory applications. The contract also calls
for Intel to use reasonable best efforts to develop a PC main memory
controller designed for use with such RDRAMs. The anticipated development
period for the new RDRAM technology is at least two years and there are a
number of technological issues which must be successfully resolved prior to
implementation. There can be no assurance that Intel will successfully develop
a controller for use with RDRAMs in time to meet market requirements, or at
all. In addition, there can be no assurance that the market for high bandwidth
PC main memory products, as anticipated by Intel, will develop by 1999 or at
all. Under the contract, Intel can terminate its relationship with Rambus at
any time. Even if such development efforts are completed, there is no
assurance that RDRAMs will be built by the Company's licensees and purchased
by PC manufacturers in sufficient quantity to become a standard for PC main
memory. The Company established an earlier relationship with Intel several
years ago, but Intel did not at that time pursue development relating to
Rambus technology. There can be no assurance that Intel's current emphasis or
priorities will not change in the future, resulting in less attention and
fewer resources being devoted to the current Rambus relationship. Although
certain aspects of the current relationship between the two companies are
contractual in nature, many important aspects depend on the continued
cooperation of the two companies. There can be no assurance that Rambus and
Intel will be able to work together successfully over an extended period of
time. In addition, there can be no assurance that Intel will not develop or
adopt competing technologies in the future.
There certainly seem to be some loopholes in Intel's "contractual obligation".
John |
