Intel Corp (INTC)

[Golfbum]

I don't like the use of the term "political correctness" as it is usually employed as a derogatory predicate by the user as a means to justify subsequent uncivilized behavior.

However I am very concerned that Intel seems to be struggling with a clear vision of what it wants to achieve and some proof that it is capable doing so. Although it's HR efforts are admirable they can't substitute for product execution.

Although IoT may well be a major growth area I'm dubious that it can substitute adequately for the loss of client computing. Client computing has the unique capability of keeping Intel relevant as a consumer brand. I don't see IoT devices capable of filling that role. The failing in the mobile arena seems to continue without pause and although our family has (and will continue to have) several high performance desktops the "bloom appears to have gone off that rose" permanently.

I'm reasonably confident that Intel can maintain it's position in servers but I continue to wonder about what's going on in the HPC arena where there has been a distinct lack of visibility in what's going on with Intel's offerings. I'm concerned that the Xeon Phi family has been a victim of 14nm alleged shortcomings and the future devices at 10nm may suffer as well.

HPC and Big Data Computing is seen as the "next big thing" for medicine and a whole range of product design that the Xeon Phi and it's ability to "democratize HPC" (Intel's words...) was supposed to address.

I continue to wonder about how well the Intel/Micron relationship is working. I'm starting to see the same sort of divergence there that characterized the Intel/HP relationship on Itanium and we all know how well that went. I want to see 3D NAND and 3DXpoint products soon and in volume.

In short I want to see products and substantial previews of products on a continuing basis that support a real roadmap for all of Intel's product lines. HR and Bill Holt should represent 10% or less of the column inches if products were properly foremost.

gb