Intel: We don’t bet on Windows 7
June 8, 2009 by Bernd Kling
Intel chief financial officer (CFO) Stacy Smith doesn’t count on Windows 7 to start the PC replacement cycle. He gave some unexpected insights in his interview with a German finance weekly.
He does hope some companies will replace existing PCs, he told Euro am Sonntag. But he expects it to be more of a short term effect:
“Hopefully Windows 7 fuels the excitement that is needed for companies to start replacing their old computers. But even then this effect will not be strong enough to be more visible than the fact that we are in an economic downswing. Windows 7 on it’s own surely will not bring a turn for the better.”
Recession or not, Intel will continue to invest heavily in new technologies. Within the next 2 years Intel plans to spend 7 billion dollars for its 32nm process technology. Smith expects this to be the key for conquering new markets:
“This technology is the necessary precondition to get our products into new markets like consumer electronics or cell phones. The success of these markets will get us out the downturn. When 32nm chips become available in 2010 we will be where we want to be.”
What’s left for Intel to get into? Well, maybe graphics processors and gaming consoles:
“Gaming consoles are an ideal combination for Intel with our new Larrabee GPU coming in 2010 as well as our new consumer electronics chips.”
(bk)
Photo credits: Ndevil / GNU (Intel Atom and chipset)
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