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Intel releases Pentium 4
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April 23, 2001: 10:26 a.m. ET
Debut of fastest microprocessor could spark price war with rivals
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NEW YORK (CNNfn) - Intel Corp., the world's largest chipmaker, introduced its much-awaited Pentium 4 processor Monday, at 1.7 GHz the company's highest-performance microprocessor for desktops, in a move that could ignite a price war with its competitors.
Intel (INTC: down $1.58 to $30.85, Research, Estimates) said the Pentium 4 is available immediately for $325 in 1,000 unit quantities, and the company expects computer makers worldwide to launch systems based on the new microprocessor.
The New York Times reported Monday that the company plans to use the Pentium 4 to leverage its market share and cut into the bottom line of its chief rival, Advanced Micro Devices.
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Intel and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD: down $1.80 to $27.20, Research, Estimates) hold a virtual duopoly in the desktop PC microprocessor market, but both companies have said they want to avoid a price war.
 Beginning next week, Intel plans to discount the 1.5 GHz version, which it introduced in November, from $637 to $256, the paper said.
"The Pentium 4 processor is destined to become the center of the digital world,' said Louis Burns, vice president and general manager of Intel's Desktop Platforms Group. "Whether encoding video and MP3 files, doing financial analysis, or experiencing the latest Internet technologies – the Pentium 4 processor is designed to meet the needs of all users."
Intel said the new Pentium 4 is the company's first completely new desktop processor design since 1995, when it launched the Pentium Pro processor. 
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