THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, December 21, 1994 TAG: 9412210223
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: D1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMES SCHULTZ, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
Even though Intel has announced free replacements for its flawed Pentium chip, questions remain. What's a confused computer buyer to do? Here are several questions and answers.
Q. What's the big deal, anyway? So what if the Pentium chip can't get the correct answer out to the ninth or tenth decimal place?
A. What's a minor irritant to or a non-issue for the occasional user can become a big headache for specialty or power users, like engineers or scientists. Those who use their computers to keep the household books, communicate by e-mail or plan CD-ROM games should have no problem.
Should doesn't mean will, however. While Intel might be understating and competitors like IBM overstating the extent of the problem, the fact remains a defective chip could affect the operation of large, complex programs like spreadsheets.
Q. If I want a replacement for my Pentium chip, what do I do? If you have a problem, call Intel immediately at 1-800-628-8686. The company on Tuesday promised to send a new chip to customers with Pentium machines who want to perform the replacement themselves. For users who want an expert to swap the chip, Intel promised to contract with computer service companies or dealers to perform the work. Details will be announced in a few weeks.
Q. So should I buy Pentium or not?
A. Most personal computer users don't need the high-octane computing power provided by a Pentium machine. There are cheaper choices, such as souped-up versions of Pentium's predecessor, the 486 chip, or 486 clones from other vendors.
But if you need maximum speed and power for computer software that is heavily math-intensive, the Pentium is one of the most powerful chips available. Ask a reputable computer dealer for advice.
Q. Isn't this whole thing making a mountain out of a molehill?
A. Not when you consider that society is coming to rely on computers for everything from airplane flying to medical care. Computer glitches matter because people's lives and livelihoods can be affected. Remember the software crash a few years ago that scrambled long distance calls up and down the Eastern Seaboard and briefly shut down the air traffic control system? Like it or not, we rise or fall on the quality of our computer gear and the instruction codes that go along with it.
Q. Know any good Pentium jokes?
A. Here are three Intel potshots currently circulating on the Internet computer network.
Joke 1: What are the two new names for the Pentium chip? Answer: The Approxium and the Almostium.
Joke 2: What do you get when you cross a Pentium personal computer with a research grant? Answer: A mad scientist.
Joke 3: How many Pentium chip designers does it take to screw in a light bulb? Answer: 1.999999993472395 -- That's enough for normal use. by CNB