This article is more than 1 year old

A year ago: IBM, Gateway, AMD, Acer enter rumour mill

Rumours abound that moves are afoot

AMD promised us that VIA would support its PC 100 fast Socket Seven bus and sure enough that will come to pass this week. But a mole close to Intel told The Register last week that talking about PC 100 and DRAM (as we have), he might as well tell us the truth about why the chip giant posted revised specs. According to him, Intel was under the threat of litigation by three major manufacturers unless it changed its mind on the specifications. A compromise was reached and that was why Intel backed down. Intel refuses to comment on unannounced litigation, of any kind, whatsoever. The problems with DRAM (see earlier issues) caused many a distributor to turn the wallpaper in her or his office blue, we are given to understand. And talking about AMD - we note that its results are a little "lossy" but our contacts at Dataquest assure us that IBM and Compaq would not use AMD chips unless they were absolutely sure that they could supply. And how could they be sure? Well, it could be something to do with the fact that rumours are rife that IBM wants to buy AMD. Something to do with the 6X86 deal with NatSemi-Cyrix, we hear. We also understand that Gateway 2000 is also, once again, touting for business with IBM interested while Acer will secure the deal to make the PCs for Unisys after two of its manufacturing plants close. As always, everyone refuses to comment on unsubstantiated rumours. Good morning, America. ®

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