So AMD is suing Intel. First, I'd suggest reading through the 48-page complaint filed by AMD. Given that Vinney is in law school, I've seen a few of these things, but this one is surprisingly legible even for us non-legal types :)
I've known about this sort of stuff for quite some time, in fact, I'd say that out of the 48 pages AMD's legal team put together there's a lot missing. AMD told me that they aren't putting all cards on the table, but here are a couple of other things that I've seen personally:
I can't even begin to count the number of times where motherboard manufacturers have told me that they could not:
1) Send an AMD motherboard for review
2) Promote an AMD motherboard
3) Let us take pictures of an AMD motherboard
Out of fear of Intel retaliation. Remember the original Athlon days when no motherboard manufacturer would dare make a board for the K7? All of the frightened manufacturers were afraid of them losing their Intel chipset allocation if they supported the K7.
The same sort of stuff happened during the i820 days. Intel's first RDRAM based chipset was a complete flop, yet they offered no real SDRAM alternative. VIA did however, and Intel punished those manufacturers who didn't promote their i820 platforms or who too eagerly embraced VIA's solutions.
The list goes on and on.
What's my take on it? I'm all for competition based on technology and technological merit. Whenever Intel was faster we'd recommend them, and whenever AMD was faster, we'd do the same for them. Luckily, you all get it: AMD's market share among our readership is around 50% because you all generally purchase based on technology, performance and a lot of you are building your own systems, so these issues don't directly affect you. Obviously the rest of the market doesn't work that way, and I'd be glad to see that change; it benefits the end user and that's all I care about.
Right now AMD builds the best desktop CPUs, Intel offers the best value on dual core desktop CPUs and Intel has the best mobile chips. It would be nice if the entire market purchased based on those purely technological comparisons.
What will come of AMD's lawsuit? AMD told me that they are in this for the long haul and they aren't expecting to even go to trial in the next 18 months. I'm not sure what the end result will be, but I do know that things aren't entirely balanced today; and I am a fan of anything that drives innovation and produces better overall products for the end users.
One thing is for sure: I would hate for just AMD or Intel to exist, we need both and we need balance. If this lawsuit results in more balance and better competition based on technology rather than marketing ability, then more power to AMD.
Your thoughts?
I've known about this sort of stuff for quite some time, in fact, I'd say that out of the 48 pages AMD's legal team put together there's a lot missing. AMD told me that they aren't putting all cards on the table, but here are a couple of other things that I've seen personally:
I can't even begin to count the number of times where motherboard manufacturers have told me that they could not:
1) Send an AMD motherboard for review
2) Promote an AMD motherboard
3) Let us take pictures of an AMD motherboard
Out of fear of Intel retaliation. Remember the original Athlon days when no motherboard manufacturer would dare make a board for the K7? All of the frightened manufacturers were afraid of them losing their Intel chipset allocation if they supported the K7.
The same sort of stuff happened during the i820 days. Intel's first RDRAM based chipset was a complete flop, yet they offered no real SDRAM alternative. VIA did however, and Intel punished those manufacturers who didn't promote their i820 platforms or who too eagerly embraced VIA's solutions.
The list goes on and on.
What's my take on it? I'm all for competition based on technology and technological merit. Whenever Intel was faster we'd recommend them, and whenever AMD was faster, we'd do the same for them. Luckily, you all get it: AMD's market share among our readership is around 50% because you all generally purchase based on technology, performance and a lot of you are building your own systems, so these issues don't directly affect you. Obviously the rest of the market doesn't work that way, and I'd be glad to see that change; it benefits the end user and that's all I care about.
Right now AMD builds the best desktop CPUs, Intel offers the best value on dual core desktop CPUs and Intel has the best mobile chips. It would be nice if the entire market purchased based on those purely technological comparisons.
What will come of AMD's lawsuit? AMD told me that they are in this for the long haul and they aren't expecting to even go to trial in the next 18 months. I'm not sure what the end result will be, but I do know that things aren't entirely balanced today; and I am a fan of anything that drives innovation and produces better overall products for the end users.
One thing is for sure: I would hate for just AMD or Intel to exist, we need both and we need balance. If this lawsuit results in more balance and better competition based on technology rather than marketing ability, then more power to AMD.
Your thoughts?
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Anonymous - Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - link
Why not file a lawsuit years ago when the things Anand talked about were really rampant?knitecrow - Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - link
"I can't even begin to count the number of times where motherboard manufacturers have told me that they could not:1) Send an AMD motherboard for review
2) Promote an AMD motherboard
3) Let us take pictures of an AMD motherboard "
After reading these comments all i can say is -- wow. That sure sounds anti-competitive.
yelo333 - Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - link
Wow...A legible 48-page legal document.Quoting somebody who obviously doesn't care much for AMD, from the "computer talk" section of my local college's "open discussion":
"AMD has serious overheating problems with their processors. They are their own worse problem."
Nobody has replied.
Really, if you stuck Intel in for AMD, that statement would be more correct then it is now...It's precicely the heat which prevented them from ramping up prescott's clockspeed anymore, is it not?
Antiflash - Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - link
Anand, you´ll be the first to be called by AMD on a trial order to give this testimony:“I can't even begin to count the number of times where motherboard manufacturers have told me that they could not: 1) Send an AMD motherboard for review, 2) Promote an AMD motherboard, 3) Let us take pictures of an AMD motherboard”
Good luck as AMD witness!
Mark Little - Wednesday, June 29, 2005 - link
#6, I second #7's comment about the case being brought in Delaware. I don't know where you got the California thing.Anand, because of your close association over the years with hardware vendors, if you were asked to appear in court on either Intel or AMD's behalf, would you do it and for which side?
:)
viditor - Tuesday, June 28, 2005 - link
It appears that the analysts have already weighed in on this...Wells Fargo says that there is a 75% probability that AMD will receive a favourable ruling to the tune of about $8/share...that's about $4 billion!
http://tinyurl.com/e24ma
viditor - Tuesday, June 28, 2005 - link
"AMD says Intel's dirty practices keep the cost of new computers high.But I can buy a brand-new Dell 3Ghz P4 for like $500! Dare I say the cost would be significantly higher if Intel and Dell did not have a good deal going?"
I disagree...if Intel was forced to compete on price/performance alone (as they legally should do), that same system would probably be another $100 cheaper...or it would be an AMD! :-)
Mike Dell is the master at playing one vendor off against another, and I can't imagine that his bargaining would be diminished by a level playing field...more likely it would be enhanced!
stash - Tuesday, June 28, 2005 - link
Hey Anand,Totally OT, and I'm sure you mentioned it before, but where is your wife going to law school and what year is she? What kind of law does she want to practice?
I ask because my girlfriend is in law school now, so I'm just curious.
Thanks!
Anonymous - Tuesday, June 28, 2005 - link
AMD says Intel's dirty practices keep the cost of new computers high.But I can buy a brand-new Dell 3Ghz P4 for like $500! Dare I say the cost would be significantly higher if Intel and Dell did not have a good deal going?
Anonymous - Tuesday, June 28, 2005 - link
Does this really matter?as long as Intel has Dell... AMD is missing out,
and a lawsuit won't help that.