Intel Corp is said to be developing a new type of processor to counter Advanced Micro Devices’ AM386 clone: according to Paul Lavin writing in yesterday’s Financial Times, the plan is to unbundle the 486, discard everything but the processor core and then package the chip in plastic casing; the cut-down 486 is said to outperform the 386 by 50%, but because the current 483 is perceived as being too powerful for most users’ requirements, the new chip will be marketed as faster 386 rather than a slower 486; at a suggested price of less than UKP2,500, this should boost Intel sales and stave off growing competition from clones; Intel UK says that it does not comment on unannounced products.
