In launching the Pentium II, Intel Corp stressed the importance of the $2,500 price level – for a system – as a benchmark for wide acceptance of a microprocessor line. While the 80486 generation processors took roughly four years to reach that magic number, succeeding generations picked up the pace, helping make Intel the industry giant that it is today. By Intel’s own estimates, systems built on Pentium chips were going for $2,500 within six fiscal quarters of its introduction. The Pentium Pro got there in three months. But some OEMs, including Gateway 2000 Inc and Hewlett-Packard Co, are introducing Pentium II-based systems that will debut at $2,500 or less, hastening mass market appeal. In addition to the OEMs marketing Pentium II- based systems already reported (CI No 3,155), the list includes Acer America Inc, AST Research Inc, Intergraph Computer Systems Corp and Micron Electronics Inc.
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