Intel Corp (INTC)

[Elmer Phud]

Wbmw -

Elmer, I guess I don't understand how AMD and UMC can "amicably wind up their joint development relationship", and yet AMD still claims that they will have 65nm technology on 300mm wafers by the second half of 2005. Doesn't this mean that AMD will be doing this at Dresden, since they won't have the UMC fab to rely on? What about AMD's foundry plans? Are those out the Window? Will IBM become a foundry?

So many questions, so few answers. The Droid wet dream of a flood of Hammers bursting forth from AMD's and UMC's fabs seems a distant memory. The joint venture fell flat on it's face. Back to the drawing board. Now IBM will be AMD's savior. Where have we heard this before? It didn't work before so why should it work this time? I don't really think IBM wants to take on Intel in manufacturing. They're out of their league. Is SOI an HVM (High Volume Manufacturing) solution? I've never seen any indication that it is. One thing about the IBM mystic is that it's always been behind the scenes. IBM has been considered Intel's only peer in process technology but let's not confuse that with high volume manufacturing. IBM has never had to put their capabilities on the line for all to see. I don't think they will stand up to the challenge, assuming that one even exists.

EP