Intel Corp has finally confirmed that it can’t meet demand for its new 0.18 micron mobile and desktop Pentium III processor. Talking to reporters at the Comdex trade show in Las Vegas, Pat Gelsinger, vice president and general manager of Intel’s desktop products group blamed the delay on the move from the 0.25 micron process to 0.18 micron. Which is bad news for Intel’s OEM customers, such as Dell Computer Corp and IBM Corp, who have all announced systems using the new Pentiums and mobile processors. However, it could be good news for Advanced Micro Devices Inc, which has brought a new fabrication plant online and also made confident noises about processor production last week. OEMs looking to deliver mid-range and high-end PCs may have little choice but to go with Intel’s rival.
