Replies to post #27488 on Intel Corp (INTC)

[wbmw]

Re: The systems specs generally seem to favor AMD Live!

I don't see that at all. Most of the AMD "specs" are optional or recommended additions. In fact, the only *required* hardware is a dual core AMD processor (Intel does the same), 5.1 audio (Intel also requires this, but Intel's is also Dolby enhanced), Gigabit ethernet (Intel also requires this), >1GB memory (stupid requirement, since nearly all Viiv machines will have this anyway), >6 USB and Firewire (nearly all PCs already have this, and so will Viiv), DVD+/-RW drive (expect all Viiv machines to have this, too). So on a hardware level, it looks like AMD is *trying* to match Viiv, but the only difference is that they don't provide the chipset or networking silicon, so they make it available for any 3rd party to use theirs. That kind of defeats the purpose of a platform built and validated with the same components, which is what you'd see in any other consumer electronics device. That's been the value proposition of Intel's platform stack relative to AMD's for years, and it will continue to be this way now.

And as for that, Viiv has a number of other requirements that are not listed in this review. These are probably the most important ones, too, which includes specially tuned software and drivers that AMD does not have. I encourage you to see the Viiv demo that Intel puts out in a lot of the retail electronic stores. I saw the one in Best Buy and had a chance to play with it, and it definitely offers more than just Media Center features.

And there's also the matter of exclusive content on Viiv, much of which has not come online yet, but will be here eventually. IMO, that's the biggest and most obvious difference, since you don't have a multimedia PC without the media. AMD cannot compete here, even though they will try to sell a nearly identical piece of hardware. I think you'll be seeing more of the subtle differences going forward. Intel has put a lot of work into Viiv, so it's obviously stuff that can't be duplicated, just be mirroring the specs.

[tecate]

No I declared a winner from what I read :) I'm right.