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Steven M. writes "Intel will be releasing Celeron's with a new 390 pin layout it's calling PPGA or Plastic Pin Grid Array. It seems according to Intel that they've been recieving complaints that Slot 1 is too expensive, especially for those trying to make sub-$1000 computers. "

India's Express Computer is carrying an article about preinstalled Linux for sub-$600 computers. They mention that "In the United States, many big systems vendors, as a part of their sub-$600 PC campaign are bundling Linux as the operating system."Does anybody know to whom he is referring? Thanks to Linux Reviews and Articles for the reference.

Rob writes "We have a great Linux story in Network World today. Lots of examples of Linux making inroads in corporate networks. Fairly well written, with a low FUD level, save for the "support" issue (which te author eventually does get right). The print edition had a box with a "how to pronounce Linux" blurb. Luckily the "we don't care what you call it as long as you use it" argument wins here. Remember: pronounciation flamage is reserved for the sub-13 year old demographic only!)"

Eaglemoon sent us a link to MITs Orca-1 Submarine which apparently is run by an onboard linux system. It just won a contest that involved deploying a marker at the deepest point of a lake, while running unattended. Oh, the places Linux will go... automated subs, automated cars, the space shuttle. Ain't it cool?

Apparently an internal Intel briefing states that Intel's own research into SOI showed an 18% performance improvement for gate loaded circuits because of reduced junction capacitance, but also showed a 15% lower performance for interconnect loaded circuits than the silicon currently available. Since interconnects account for over 30% of the total semiconductor capacitance of high end CPUs, Intel dismisses SOI as giving no speed and insignificant power advantages for sub-0.25 micron logic applications. It is unclear however whether Intel's comments are also meant to apply to silicon using copper interconnects.

ISA is finally dead. Microsoft and Intel have been hinting as much in previous PC 9x drafts, so it comes as no surprise. The particularly interesting aspect to this is that it means older DOS games relying on ISA soundcards will be incompatible with future machines -- barring Microsoft's DOS box emulation. We can also expect future Microsoft OS' to give up supporting ISA hardware, obsoleting it. I hope Linux will not go down that path, since old hardware can be used by non-profit organisations, 3rd world countries and Universities (Beowolf clusters of 386's) Other requirements include a 300Mhz processor, a 56K modem, 256K L2, an AGP graphics card, in-built networking recommended and 32Mb of Ram for the home user. It'll be interesting to see how these requirements and the sub-1000$ phenomenon interact.

Cobalt Networks Inc., manufacturers of the famous Cobalt Qube (TM), today announced their latest Linux based server product: the Cobalt Raq (TM). It's a sub-$1000, rack mountable Internet server solution, specifically targeted at ISP's. According to the press release up to 40 Cobalt RaQ microservers fit onto one side of a standaard 19" rack and consume less power than two traditional servers.

Packard Bell NEC will begin to offer PCs with Cyrix chips in the near future. The company's announcement does not, however, discuss rumors of a possible sub-$600 PC coming soon from the company.

Dirt Nap writes "AMD isn't the only one with financial problems, Intel announced this week that earnings, down 7% from the same time last year, would result in the culling of 3,000 jobs over the next 6 months. It seems that Intel is blaming an over estimation of the market, while others are pointing the finger at a late and lack-luster entry into the sub $1000 PC market. More can be found at this location. "

Anthony Rumble wrote in to tell us that Chaltech has released another contender for the soon-to-be-valid sub $500 PC. The MoBo is ATX, Cheap, and a Linux port will hopefully be available soon.

Cyrix has announced a 233MHz chip that is capable of running Windows CE. Cyrix says they are targeting the chip at the sub-$1000 PC. Is this the almost-proof Windows CE has been ported to the x86 architechture?

Jupiter devices are here. Jupiter is a version of Windows CE 2.0 that runs on hybrid laptop/handeld PC devices. LG announced the Phenom Ultra, The Ultra has an 8.25" screen, and a bult-in modem. It weighs less than 2lbs. NEC and Hitachi have also announced their machines, the HPW family and the Mobile Gear family (respectively). These machines target the sub-$1000 market and have 70-100MHz processors, and 8-16MB of memory. That Linux port isn't sounding too bad, now that I think about it...

As AMD and Intel report disappointing earnings, the price of computers continues its downwards spiral. Intel certainly did not anticipate the success of the sub-$1000 category, but AMD and Cyrix have failed to capitalize on the opportunity. The problem is that a bitter war of attrition will hurt the smaller players just entering the field. But then, perhaps they will address the lack of new features to excite one enough to buy a new PC. Or perhaps, they will find a solution to the root cause of high computer cost: bloatware.

National Semiconducter has announced plans to make a single chip PC. Current forecasts have the chip being released in June of 1999, and the company hopes that it will fuel the sub-500$ computer range. National also reports that they already have several vendors for the chip lined up, including at least "one tier 1" company, although they refuse to give names.

Intel has gone from strength to strength in the past ten years, but the growth of the Internet and the sub-1000$US computer, according to Forbes may spell problems for Intel in the future.