Intel Corp (INTC)

[imho]

Tenchu,

I'm really afraid that the whole push to dual-core will fall flat on its face

You maybe right based on a technical point of view. However, Intel is no longer run by a technical guy, are they? I believe that Intel's reaction is as much a response to AMD as it is to addressing technical shortcomings of new processors.

I believe the technical argument you are making was also made about the issue of 64 bits on the desktop. AMD championed the idea, while Intel, perhaps correctly on technical grounds, ignored it. The result, IMO, is that AMD positioned itself as the innovator and leader in a new technology everyone expected Intel to be in. With dual-cores, the same thing was going to happen. AMD comes out championing the idea and boldly predicts it will be first on the market. The old Intel, argues on technical merits and watches as the groundswell of talking heads take AMD's position. Intel suffers from an image point of view, which is significant in the eyes of the market. This time, however, Intel is responding differently.

I believe Intel learned something from this. When it comes to advocacy, the size does not matter and the smaller you are the louder you get. Why argue on the basis of technical issues when your number one competitor will be making the same mousetrap that you (Intel) can easily make yourself? Intel now realizes that it has challenges on two fronts. Technical issues facing products it wants to champion, and products to counter what its competitor wants to champion. Intel, IMO, is simply taking on both challenges, head on, instead of getting into a public spat over technical issues.

IMHO