bobs10 - I think it's a pretty tough case to make that Intel is behind AMD in manufacturing processes. Their paths have bifurcated in many ways, so a comparison is somewhat difficult. I'm sure that they're ahead in many respects, and AMD is ahead in some. But if they're behind in technologies that they haven't chosen to use, and have no plans to use, that's somewhat irrelevant if they get the job done in other ways.
I'm finding it sounds like people are discounting Intel's capability to compete technologically, just because they're struggling with their product line to some extent right now.
It's very foolhardy to assume this will continue. Fortunately, I have confidence that Hector, Dirk and crew make no such assumptions, but are innovating continually.
Paul
Me...
Well I'll give you that INTC is still c ompetitive in the T&L stuff. As far as the rest of the product line goes I"M not thst sure. Especially, given the lead AMD has in the top-end which will becomes tomorrows mainstream products.
As far as INTC catching up, I think that's also unlikely. If anything I expect INTC to fall further behind, they're just not set up to compete with a very fast raptor. INTC now, kind of reminds me of a Brachiosaurus, a huge and lumbering herbivore from the Cretacious period. Too many levels of management, too much back stabbing, (fostered as part of INTC policy), and most telling too many people devoid of new ideas. As far as I can tell the last original processor that was worth a damn from INTC was the P3. Further, all INTC has been able to do lately is copy things that AMD invented, and that won't stop any time soon. On top of it all there's a NIH mentality that pervades the company.
Every company has turning points, I've already listed INTC's. Taking a look at AMD they developed the K6 which led to the K7 and eventually the dominant position with the K8. When AMD finally realized that they would never be able to compete with INTC in production processes on their own they teamed up with IBM and blew right past INTC with what looks like the best process capabilities in the industry. Having solved these problems AMD tackeled the capacity problems with Fab36. And yesterdays suit will eventually solve the marketing stranglehold INTC has held over the market. Even INTC's money won't help as things go forward.
I ask you who sounds like the raptor and who sounds like the Brachiosaurus?
