John G. Spooner

About

John G. Spooner, a senior writer for eWeek, chronicles the PC industry, in addition to covering semiconductors and, on occasion, automotive technology. Prior to joining eWeek in 2005, Mr. Spooner spent more than four years as a staff writer for CNET News.com, where he covered computer hardware. He has also worked as a staff writer for ZDNET News.

Intel Beaming About Swifter Transistor

Intel may have found its transistor of the future. The companys researchers feel that the combination of a three-dimensional or tri-gate transistor, which combines the use of advanced materials and manufacturing techniques, could be the answer to delivering future chips that are both speedy and energy efficient processors, Intel researchers said in a presentation at […]

Intel Says Its Back in the Server Game

Intel is upping its commitment to lowering server power. The chip maker on June 6 disclosed to analysts plans to launch its dual-core “Woodcrest” Xeon DP 5000 series processor on June 26 and to pull the introduction of its “Tulsa” Xeon MP ahead by a quarter, while also delivering lower-power versions of that chip. The […]

Group Eyes Fortress-like Hard Drives

Headline-making data losses may someday be a thing of the past, thanks to widespread use of data encryption, hard drive makers hope. The Trusted Computing Groups Storage Work Group—whose membership includes representatives from hard drive, tape drive and optical drive manufacturers—is readying a hardware-based data encryption technology standard it says will allow hard drive makers […]

Intel Seeks Mainstream Acceptance with Core 2 Chips

Intel wants its forthcoming Core 2 Duo desktop chips to be very popular. To that end, the chip maker will aim the dual-core chips, due to start shipping in July, at desktops priced under $1,000, versus restricting them to more expensive hardware. Although those looking for extra performance or exclusivity will be able to purchase […]

HP Puts AMDs Turion 64 X2 to Work

Hewlett-Packard is offering small and midsize businesses a two-for-one deal by introducing a new notebook PC based on Advanced Micro Devices dual-core Turion processor. The computer maker on June 6 unveiled its HP Compaq Business Notebook nx6325, which incorporates AMDs new Turion 64 X2 processor. The chip, unveiled on May 17, is the first AMD […]

BitLocker to the Rescue?

Microsoft is making it much more difficult to access and steal a businesss vital data from one of its PCs. The company will deliver BitLocker, a hard drive encryption tool, as part of its forthcoming Windows Vista operating system. BitLocker, which will come with Windows Vista Enterprise and Ultimate editions, can be used to encrypt […]

Lenovo Still Loves Linux

A company executives recent statement that Lenovo Group would no longer support Linux on its ThinkPad line sparked disapproval among aficionados of the operating system. However, the PC maker, whose ThinkPad notebooks are said to be popular among Linux enthusiasts, said June 5 that it would not only continue to support Linux, but that it […]

Intel to Shed Communications Chips?

Intel may sell off two communications processor product lines, exiting a major portion of its communications chip business, a published report says. A San Jose Mercury News report says the chip maker has been shopping a package consisting of its xScale processor and IXP network processor lines to prospective buyers. Intels xScale is best-known for […]

AMD Wants to Free Businesses from the Desktop PC

Advanced Micro Devices is aiming to shake up the business PC. The company, via a project it has dubbed Raiden, is eyeing new approaches to client computing for businesses. Raiden was officially unveiled by AMD during the chip makers June 1 financial analyst meeting at its Sunnyvale, Calif., headquarters. Although AMD doesnt intend for Raiden […]

AMD to Double Down on Chip Designs

Advanced Micro Devices is diversifying its chip design efforts. The chip maker will deliver two new chip architectures in 2007, changing the circuitry that underlies its server and desktop chips as well as its notebook and emerging market processors in order to better tune the chips for their respective markets. It will also begin efforts […]