Chip giants go their own ways

            Intel and AMD's 64-bit chips will have such
            contrasting technologies that developers and
            users may have to choose sides
zdnet.com
---- Excerpts ----

... SAN JOSE, Calif. -- The giants of the 
microprocessor industry are marching into 
next-generation technologies with such conflicting 
strategies that users may no longer be assured that 
software written for an Intel chip will work well with 
rival AMD processors.

... But that's where the similarities end. The three chips are 
based on different architectures -- a fact that is already 
raising concerns from developers who fear they will be 
forced to invest in multiple code bases and tools to create 
programs for competing chips. Today, developers can 
pretty much use common development resources to write 
for Intel, AMD and other chip architectures.

 The diverging chip paths could also impact on corporate 
computer buyers. The Intel strategy encourages buyers 
to purchase new hardware, while the AMD approach 
says, use what you have and add on as you need it.

... "I think we're coming to a fork in the road in high-end 
processor design," said Linley Gwenapp, publisher and 
editorial director of the Microprocessor Report. "As we 
move into the next generation of processors ... lockstep 
evolution will not be the case."
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Goutama