Advanced Micro Devices Inc (AMD)

[KeithDust2000]

Klaus, I see your point, but I disagree. If you look at IBM´s website, http://www-132.ibm.com/content/home/store_IBMPublicUSA/en_US/eServer/eServer.html

and keep a few things in mind:

"The new IBM eServer 325 starts at $2,919 and is expected to start shipping to customers later this quarter, with full availability on October 17."

It´s quite natural that products like IBM´s new e-server demand what you call a "considerable premium" at this point in time.

IBM is also announcing today the intention to develop and deliver an Opteron based workstation next year.

Add to that the fact that an Opteron based blade server is under consideration, and all that doesn´t look like a lukewarm commitment to me.

Have a bit more patience and don´t underestimate the significance of IBM´s endorsement. As for the "competitive environment" that Opteron needs, that will also take time, which is to be expected for a brand-new server architecture (coming from a newcomer to the server market). Before the Opteron launch, I said 2004 and beyond is the timeframe for Opteron to start making a dent into the lowend server market (Windows Server 2003 for AMD64 will be one significant factor), and I´ve been rather surprised by the progress Opteron has made so far. I think it´s a question of having realistic expectations.