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Technology Stocks : How high will Microsoft fly? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Bill Fischofer who wrote (57698)	4/27/2001 10:01:05 PM
From: TideGlider	Respond to of 74651

Here is at least some information on the BS surrounding the XP rumor. Seems to me this "analyst" has a lot of nerve and was totally irresponsible for reporting in the way he did. His sources are "nods and winks". He should be taken out and shot. dailynews.yahoo.com Microsoft Denies Talk of Windows XP Delay By Scott Hillis SEATTLE (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. (NasdaqNM:MSFT - news) on Friday denied it had delayed the latest version of its Windows operating system, rebuffing comments from an analyst that sent shares in the software giant down about 3 percent. Publicly, Microsoft has said only that the software, called Windows XP, will be released in the second half of the year, and a company spokesman said that had not changed. But Rob Enderle, an analyst with technology consultancy Giga Information Group, said an internal Microsoft target of launching Windows XP in August had been postponed to October. After Enderle's comments were reported, Microsoft shares fell $2.01, or 2.9 percent, to $67.12 on the Nasdaq, which rose 2 percent on a rebound in many other tech stocks. ``I think that was it. There was a lot of noise about it during the day,'' said Jonathan Geurkink, an analyst with Wells Fargo research arm Ragen MacKenzie. Geurkink said he wasn't confident that the delay estimate was reliable. He has forecast Microsoft to launch Windows XP by the end of September. A Windows XP delay would affect not only Microsoft but personal computer makers as well because the software is widely considered to be such a significant upgrade that it will help restart moribund PC sales. Enderle said the delay appeared to stem from problems with making the software, the most significant update to the consumer platform in 6 years, compatible with existing programs and hardware. ``There been series of compatibility issues,'' Enderle said. Microsoft declined to address Enderle's remarks in detail, sticking to its goal of a second-half launch. ``What we have said is that quality is the No. 1 driver for the delivery of Windows XP,'' spokesman Tom Pilla said. ``Nothing has changed from our standpoint of a release in the second half of 2001.'' 'Wink And Nod' Another key issue was a delay in an upcoming version of the Pentium 4 microprocessor from chip giant Intel Corp. (NasdaqNM:INTC - news), Enderele said. The new version will contain modifications to optimize performance of Windows XP, and Microsoft wanted to debut the software on the new enhanced chip, Enderle said. Enderle said he uncovered the delay by comparing notes from talks with Microsoft and personal computer makers, who work closely with the software company on major product launches. He said he based his estimate of the delay on earlier hints from Microsoft that Windows XP would be released in the same time frame as Windows 95 six years ago. ``They do this wink and nod stuff. They told us, 'We can't tell you the dates but you might want to look at the Windows 95 launch','' Enderle said. That would have meant Windows XP had a release-to- manufacturer, or RTM, date of June, with retail availability in August. ``It wasn't until recently that we found that this had changed. They are now looking at October, with an August RTM,'' Enderle said. That would mean Microsoft will miss the back-to-school rush that gives a post-summer lift to PC sales. But Enderele said he was certain Microsoft would make the more crucial year-end holiday shopping season. ``We think October is a drop-dead for them. The product looks far enough along that it looks like they can hit that date. I think October is locked in,'' Enderle said. ``They gave themselves a six-month window and they haven't slipped out of that window yet,'' Enderle said.