Warp wrote:
>   I believe that the answer is: Intel *already* has the pipelines to
> produce 386 processors, from the 80's. Basically they don't have to
> do anything but (simplifying a bit) put the raw material in from one
> end, and 386 processors pop out on the other end. The only costs are
> the raw materials and the maintenance of the pipeline hardware. In
> other words, it's very cheap for them to do this.
>   Designing a completely *new* 387 using modern technologies would cost
> them a whole lot of money. Countless man hours would be spent into the
> design, and a completely new pipeline would need to be constructed.
> Why spend all that money and go through all that trouble when the existing
> hardware is doing just fine, and selling well?

Exactly, although they *are* designing new chips that are meant to go 
where the 386 goes.  I think the one from Intel is called the Atom.

...Chambers

Post a reply to this message