S
tarting with Service Pack 1, Vista
users will be able to set a third-party
desktop search engine, such as Google’s
Desktop Search, as their Windows default,
replacing the OS’s integrated search.
Microsoft released documentation
in September detailing the syntax and
other commands that will let third-party
apps use the search functions in the
Start Menu and Explorer windows and
enable users to set them as their default
search applications.
The change was prompted by
Google’s accusations earlier this year
that Microsoft’s search was too tightly
integrated into Vista. Google saw this as
a violation of the 2002 antitrust settle-
ment in which Microsoft agreed to make
it easier for customers to choose third-
party software in Windows. SP1 does
not, however, allow users to disable
Vista’s indexing service, another one of
Google’s gripes.Microsoft Bends, Slightly,
to Google’s Demands
With Vista SP1, third-party apps can replace
desktop searchI
f you’re the kind of PC enthusiast who frags while wearing Manolo
Blahniks or totes computer tools in a Prada bag—aside your
iPhone, of course—then ready yourself for your next favorite acces-
sory. LaCie’s soon-to-be-released Golden Disk enclosure combines
haute and hard drive.
Shipping in late October, the $190 external drive, which was
created by French design studio Ora-Ïto, is covered in a fancy gold
fi nish—containing actual fl ecks of the real stuff—and adorned with
a distinct wave pattern. The insides aren’t bad either: The 7,200rpm
drive can hold 500GB of data, although the fanless device connects
to your computer only via USB. If only there were an eSATA-friendly
diamond-encrusted version!LaCie Lays a
Golden Enclosure
When your data deserves a storage device that’s equally precious
Preview
A
MD has enjoyed great success against Intel in
the last few years, but trouble is looming. If the
costly acquisition of ATI doesn’t pay off soon, AMD
could be permanently crippled. And a crippled AMD
is bad for everyone who benefits from lively compe-
tition in x86 processors—including Intel.
Historically, Intel commands 70 to 90 percent
of the x86 microprocessor market, depending on
the particular market segment and point in time.
AMD can live with that, but just barely. When Intel
screws up, billions of dollars may be lost, but the
juggernaut survives. When AMD screws up, it’s
life threatening. AMD is always under pressure to
devise near-perfect strategies and execute those
strategies nearly perfectly.
Two things are going wrong now. First, Intel
has largely recovered from its mistakes with
the x86. Intel’s Core 2 microarchitecture is a big
improvement over the NetBurst microarchitecture
and its phallic hyperpipelining. Intel has embraced
the 64-bit x86 extensions that AMD pioneered
and is introducing competitive multicore chips.
Intel’s low-power notebook processors look good,
too. And Intel has a new alternative to AMD’s
HyperTransport that promises greater integration
in future Intel chips.
The second thing going wrong for AMD is
indigestion. Major acquisitions like ATI are hard to
swallow, financially and logistically. AMD recently
had to raise $2.2 billion, not a good sign.
Some AMD fanboys pray for deliverance in the
form of legal lightning. Actions alleging that Intel
engaged in unfair business practices are pending
in multiple countries. However, pinning hope on
litigation instead of innovation is often the death
knell for a company.
Much attention is being heaped on AMD’s new
Quad-Core Opteron (Barcelona). But to fully recover,
AMD must prove that acquiring ATI wasn’t an
expensive goof. Future AMD processors that inte-
grate the GPU with the CPU will be great for most
people who aren’t high-end gamers. However, AMD
might have accomplished the same thing by licens-
ing the graphics technology from ATI instead of
spending $5.4 billion to buy the whole company.
No doubt Intel enjoys AMD’s problems.
Nevertheless, Intel is at its best when challenged by
competitors like AMD. Lately, Intel has even been
slashing prices. Sure, it’s an obvious tactic to put
more pressure on AMD. But it’s good for users, too.Tom Halfhill was formerly a senior editor for Byte magazine
and is now an analyst for Microprocessor Report.Is AMD Running
Out of Gas?
FAST FORWARD
TOM
HALFHILLHOLIDAY 2007 MAXIMUMPC 09