To: gnuman who wrote (58685 ) 10/24/2000 10:02:40 AM From: Dave B Read Replies (2) | Respond to of 93625 Perhaps, but I'm not too sure. Seem's to me that Intel would intro a major new product with a campaign resembling a theatrical production, ala MSFT, Apple, etc. Normally this would be accompanied by the major PC makers also showing their new products based on the technology. The Comdex booth focuses on P4 software, which to me is more like unveiling the performance that can be expected when the product is eventually announced. I wonder whose boxes they'll have on display at Comdex running the software? I agree they'll want to do a big, public launch of their newest processor for PR reasons. On the one hand, the last week of November sucks as a the launch date (Christmas moving into high gear, and as we both agree, this is not a Christmas item, so little attention will be paid to it). OTOH, from what I know of Intel, if they've said week 48 is the launch, then that's when they'll do the public announcement. I still can't imagine them having boxes on display for the public at Comdex without having provided the materials to the press ahead of time, which effectively "launches" the product, however.I also find it interesting that Intel has just come out with a major new TV and print campaign for the PIII. (I've seen it many times during football games). Three weird blue heads that focus on the III in PIII. In one ad the third guy douses himself in green paint, leaps up on a wall, and slides down to create the third I of the PIII. Is that who that commercial is for?! I've never even paid attention long enough to notice. Those guys are a Vegas act called Blue Man Group or Crew or something. Apparently their entire act consists of doing things with paint (they have drums of paint that they "play" with drum sticks, etc.). The bug eyes scare me <G>.Considering that P4 won't be available for the holiday season, I suspect that Intel doesn't want to impact PIII sales with a high profile intro of P4. Unless I'm misunderstanding your first paragraph, this seems to contradict your first statement about wanting to do a high-profile launch. Also, Intel admits that PIII will continue to have major unit share through 2002. In the near term I think they will focus P4 in the business segment, particularly work stations, where cost is less an issue. Heavy promotion of PIII to the public makes good business sense to me. I agree completely re: the P4 being a business system initially. At the price point, though, they shouldn't have to worry about a P4 roll-out affecting holiday sales to consumers. Holiday systems are usually the sub-$1000 systems, and I doubt CompUSA will be displaying P4 systems (at least not very many). I guess we'll know in a little over a month <G>. Dave