Hi Sonny, Article...What will become of the Alpha?
February 12, 1998
Network World via Individual Inc. : The fate of Digital Equipment Corp.'s high-end Alpha processor hangs in the balance as a result of Compaq Computer Corp.'s plan to acquire Digital, according to analysts.
Compaq could throw its weight behind Alpha and use the 64-bit chip to build high-end workstations and enterprise servers. This would drive development of compatible software and breathe life into the beleaguered chip.
Alternatively, Compaq could phase out Alpha production altogether and instead build high-end machines using Intel Corp.'s forthcoming 64-bit chip design, code-named Merced, analysts said. Or, the PC vendor could work with a combination of both processors.
''Compaq probably isn't sure itself what they're going to do [with Alpha] yet, but there certainly isn't a termination order in place. Around the turn of the century, everyone and his brother is going to use Merced, and it might be nice to have an architecture that will differentiate you from the pack,'' said Terry Shannon, editor of ''Shannon Knows DEC,'' a newsletter in Ashland, Mass.
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Any speculation? Could they be using Alpha to gain a little maneuvering room with Intel on prices from Merced? We know how Compaq hates to depend on Intel alone for their chips.
Or could they be actually trying to compete with Intel in the chip business? I wonder what fabs would be used to make the alpha in the event they really wanted to compete with Intel, and how much capacity is available?
Michael |
