Posted at 3:08 p.m. PST Tuesday, February 23, 1999
Intel demonstrates
super-speedy computer
microprocessor
NEW YORK (AP) -- Intel Corp. said it passed a key technology
milestone Tuesday, demonstrating a speedy new microprocessor
that lets ordinary home computers easily respond to human voices
and master other advanced features.
Intel, the world's largest maker of chips for PCs, said it will
mass-produce the souped-up Pentium III chip as the brainpower
for business machines starting late next year. Home computers
running at the high speeds are expected to go on sale in mid-2001.
Running at 1 gigahertz, or 1,000 megahertz, the Pentium III demonstrated by Intel is twice as fast
as the commercially available version, which goes on sale Friday as the eventual replacement for the
Pentium II. The faster speed will let Intel's most expensive PC chip offer more realistic 3-D games,
improved speech recognition and other fancy features.
While a handful of other companies also have developed technology to make 1-gigahertz
microprocessors, Intel is the first to show off such a fast general-purpose chip running software
applications for PCs.
The Santa Clara, Calif. company announced the development at its annual conference of software
developers in Palm Springs, Calif. |
