Stock Bull,
Can I play?
Here ... look at what some heavyweights say:
infoworld.com
One observer expressed surprise that the FTC reportedly has antitrust concerns of that nature. The Alpha chip is also currently produced by Samsung and
Mitsubishi, and Alpha's market share is so small compared to Intel's that it is unlikely that Intel's purchase of Digital's fabrication facilities and its intent to
manufacture Alpha chips could affect competition with Intel's own chips. according to Terry Shannon, editor of Shannon Knows DEC, a newsletter in
Ashland, Mass.
"I don't see how the presence or absence of that fab facility is really going to impact the popularity of IA-64," Shannon said. "Intel is not further marginalizing
Alpha by acquiring the foundry in which Alpha is built."
However, now turn to a key industry CPU analyst... the highly-regarded
Linley Gwennap... who is at MicroProcessor Report.. very much today
might as well be IntelProcessor Report:
But Linley Gwennap, editor of Microprocessor Report, an industry newsletter in Sebastopol, Calif., said the FTC's alleged concerns may have merit.
"Even though Alpha is very small [in terms of] unit shipments ... it is a strong competitor in the workstation and server markets that Pentium Pro and Merced
are targeting," Gwennap said. "To have Intel responsible for making its own chip and a competitor's chip in the same market ... certainly seems like it could
be a conflict of interest."
I love it! I love a dichotomy. Shannon is on the ball... I read
a recent opinion piece of Linley at mdronline... I think it is
important to quote a small section of it to really get the pulse
of where he is coming from and to also interject a bit of realism/opinion ...
mdronline.com
"While the uncertainty surrounding Digital's Alpha plans provides an uncomfortable backdrop for these efforts to push Alpha into the PC market, it isn't likely to have
a tangible downside. The next-generation 21264 design is nearly ready for production, and Digital is working with Samsung on a PC derivative of that processor.
With process shrinks to 0.25- and 0.18-micron CMOS, the 21264 core should satisfy the needs of the PC market for years to come. Even if Digital decides it
doesn't need the 21364, it could develop that chip under contract for Samsung and Mitsubishi."
Couple of things:
Digital isn't uncertain of Alpha's future. That is a trade
press rumour. Not only is 21364 well underway (simulations
being run now), its introduction around the same time as
Merced is very much anticipated. Intel is under obligation
to produce Alphas for 7 years according to the agreement.
Since the 21364 is a mid-late 1999 part, Intel will
OBVIOUSLY be producing 21364 parts. Digital would be foolish
not to produce 21364 as (OXYMORON alert beware of next statement)
reliable rumours peg 21346 at 150 SpecInt blasting holes in the
35-40 SpecInt of the Merced I.
Linley's bias is protruding . . .
So is mine ;-)
Rob
infoworld.com
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