Wintel: Two roads diverged zdnet.com
You have to understand that Microsoft/Intel are like a family.
Hey Sal, you ever heard of Sister Sledge? Probably too old for you, I think it was early '80's, they had a song "We are Family", it was adapted by the Phillies of that time when they won the Series, Mike Schmidt, Willie Stargel, the taciturn Steve Carlton.
Anyway, I digress as usual. Here's another story on this subject, a little more substantial than the Austrialian thing. Perhaps still somewhat overstated, but in the ruthless and paranoid world inhabited by Bill and Andy Grove, I think "We are family" goes too far the other way. Was it Clausewitz that said "There are no allies, only interests"?
"Wintel is a trite misunderstanding of our relationship," said Pat Gelsinger, vice president and general manager of Intel's Desktop Products Division, in Hillsboro, Ore. "We are very different and are focused on separate agendas. We are very unique and independent companies." . . .
While Intel platforms have supported non-Microsoft server operating systems for years, Merced changes the game. That's because when the 64-bit architecture debuts, Windows NT will be entering an enterprise space where Unix already is well-established. As a result, forthcoming versions of HP-UX, Digital Unix, SCO Unix and Solaris for Merced could, at least initially, keep 64-bit NT at bay.
"The difference now is that Intel is moving into a segment where Microsoft is not strong," said Linley Gwennap, editor of The Microprocessor Report, in Sebastopol, Calif.
Intel, too, has limited experience in designing products for the large-scale enterprise; hence its co-development with enterprise player Hewlett-Packard Co. for IA-64.
So what's to become of the dynamic duo? The consensus is that Microsoft and Intel will continue their hegemony in the 32-bit PC space and dominate the market for sub-$50,000 servers.
There's that hegemony word again. What a bunch of capitalist roaders.
But in the enterprise, the companies will move forward as both collaborators and competitors.
"It's a complicated relationship," Gwennap said. "On one hand, they're working together to drive the PC industry forward. On the other hand, they're jealous of each other's stature and would like to be the only company driving growth."
Privately, Intel officials don't dispute that assertion.
"We always cringe on hearing the Wintel [label]," said an Intel official who requested anonymity. "We hate being second."
Cheers, Dan. |
