2006年NPR美国国家公共电台八月-New Chips Lead to Lower Computer Prices(在线收听

The price(s) of some personal computers are likely to drop, following drastic cuts this week on some Intel and AMD microprocessors. At the same time Intel unveiled a new line of processors that are much faster than with their previous chips. NPR's Wendy Kaufman reports.

The intense rivalry between Intel and Advanced Micro Devices heated up this week. Intel which has the lion's share of the market has been losing ground to AMD, because AMD had better technology. But yesterday Intel launched a new processor, which it calls the Core 2 Duo. Analysts including Rob Enderle say the new chip is a winner for Intel and puts the company clearly ahead in technology.

"This is their biggest launch since their Pentium launch in the early 90s. This is showcasing a near 40% increase in performance from their previous generation which is about 2x the most you typically get chip to chip."

With the brand new chip on the market, Intel is cutting the price of older generation chips, in some cases, by 50 percent or more. AMD has cut its prices too, to remain competitive.

"What that means when you are going out to shop basically, is you are going to see a lot of really great deals."

Anush Yegyazarian is a senior editor at PC World. She says if you don't want the top of the line, you will soon be able to get a very good PC, for a very good price.

"Obviously, the overall price is going to depend on more than the processor. But basically, you know you're gonna be able to get five to eight-hundred-dollar computers that do a heckle of a lot.

She says they'll do just about everything, most of us do. But serious gamers for instance, might opt for PCs with the new chip. While Intel has moved ahead of AMD with its latest chip; AMD hopes to leapfrog over Intel later this year, with something called a four by four platform. Intel will respond with yet another new chip. While today's best chips have essentially two brains; the new chips from both companies will have four.

Wendy Kaufman NPR News.

【WORLD BANK】
the lion's share (of something)
the largest part of something
The firm has captured the lion's share of the UK market.
leapfrog
to suddenly become better, more advanced etc than people or organizations that were previously better than you
The company leapfrogged its rivals into a leading position.


  原文地址:http://www.tingroom.com/lesson/NPR2006/40865.html