Despite Aging Design, x86 Still in Charge
An anonymous reader writes "The x86 chip architecture is still kicking, almost 30 years after it was first introduced. A News.com article looks into the reasons why we're not likely to see it phased out any time soon, and the history of a well-known instruction set architecture. 'Every time [there is a dramatic new requirement or change in the marketplace], whether it's the invention of the browser or low-cost network computers that were supposed to make PCs go away, the engineers behind x86 find a way to make it adapt to the situation. Is that a problem? Critics say x86 is saddled with the burden of supporting outdated features and software, and that improvements in energy efficiency and software development have been sacrificed to its legacy. And a comedian would say it all depends on what you think about disco.'"
...using it right now.
The architecture sucked when it was first introduced.
Just shows you what good marketing can accomplish with garbage.
---- Booth was a patriot ----
Considering your low Slashdot-ID you should know ;)
I'm a Linux user and I have used Vista and I don't like it. There are definitely some improvements over XP but it is buggier than XP and lacks compatibility with a lot of software and hardware. When Vista stabilizes in a year or two and drivers and software are more abundant it will be a better operating system than XP but I still won't use it over Linux. I haven't seen anything that would make me switch.
Time makes more converts than reason