Robin,
I'll take a whack at the implications of that news item.
1. Corporate customers generally do not open the box and swap processors. So this really has an impact on home/hobbist types.
2. I really like the part about it requires a certain Intel Motherboard and chip set. This should really boost the upgrade to true Intel motherboards/chipsets from the likes of Gateway and others. It's basically a no brainer choice for IS to just get a machine with an Intel motherboard. Look at the brand awareness that already exists for Intel Inside. It reminds me of the "No one ever got fired buying IBM" mantra.
3. The growth market for Intel is Corp. upgrades in 97, and MMX is not really a must have item on IS's shopping list, however they may opt for more true Intel motherboards for future usage of MMX and perceived incompatibility.
Although, many may not like the choice Intel has given folks, they will upgrade and if there is a "perceived" fear of incompatibility due to buying non-Intel products, I see this as a positive for Intel investors. Pragmatically, what choice do they have?
PS: A hobbist is easy to spot, just see if the screws are in/out of the case! They spend more time tweaking the box than using the thing. They really get worked up about Spec this and that, and how many polygons their video cards can draw. This is not the market, this is a bunch of engineers and quasi-engineers with far to much time on their hands. I admit I'm in that crowd to a certain degree, but I know most people, the general public, which is a far larger share of the market would be happy paying a couple hundered extra dollars so they can not worry about every little detail and glad to never see the inside of the computer. Computers are a lot like High School boys and cars, 4-barrel carbs, heavy springs, lifters and ports and polishes. As I remember their cars spent more time in the garage than on the road! |
