May 6, 2002

PC’S TO BECOME MORE SECURE

The TCPA (Trusted Computing Platform Alliance) will meet again this week to determine what needs to be accomplished to make PC’s more secure.  The importance of this meeting has been heightened after recent announcements by Microsoft regarding security holes in their operating systems.  Last year the group defined the Trusted Platform Module (TPM).  IBM expects to be shipping the first systems using the TPM soon.  The TCPA has a long and difficult job ahead of them.  After reading all the security issues needing to be addressed, I personally have my doubts about their success. 

 MICROSOFT FORCES INTEL INTO AMD TECHNOLOGY

AMD was able to strut around with a puffed up chest recently when Microsoft announced that it forced Intel into adopting AMD x86-64 bit language.  Although AMD is a fraction Intel’s size, Microsoft sees them as innovative when it comes to the upcoming 64 bit technology.  AMD’s new “Hammer” line of CPU’s will include the new 64 bit technology.  Intel may dump the IA-64 language it has been working on in favor of the x86-64.  In 2001 AMD was 5^th in the U.S. for number of patents received with 1090, while Intel was way behind with only 811. 

 PRICE MOVE

Once again there has been a significant price reduction on AMD processors.  Please look carefully as the prices have been reduced about 10 to 12 percent.  RAM has come down as well, with the exception of RAMBUS.  RDRAM has increased.  I currently have no answer as to why.  Please note the price of monitors has decreased as well.

S&K