Intel today announced the release of its 1.7GHz Pentium 4 processor at the Intel Developer Forum, currently in progress in Taipei. The latest edition to the Pentium 4 series, the new high performance processor is the fastest processor Intel has ever manufactured for desktop computers.
Australian PC manufacturers have already prepared to incorporate the new processor in to their series of products. Gateway is releasing a new PC configuration to carry the 1.7 GHz processor - the Gateway 1700 - while competitor, Dell, will incorporate it into their existing Dimension 8100 model PCs. The 8100, retailing for AU$2,999, sits directly on the price-point at which consumers can expect to pay for an entry-level 1.7GHz machine.
Manufacturers say they are pleased to be able to provide the high-performance machines to consumers in this price-bracket, and there could be more good news in the near future. Gateway's consumer desktop product manager Simon Kent said that the consumers could expect to see 1.7GHz machines on the market for under AU$2500 by the end of year.
Intel has been eager to accelerate the Pentium 4's entry into the mainstream computing market. With the assistance from a campaign of price cuts and television advertisements, PC manufacturers say that sales of home Pentium 4 systems machines improved markedly in the first quarter of 2001.
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