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.

AMD Sees Continued Gains Despite Revenue Drop

Advanced Micro Devices said it continued to gain market share versus its larger rival Intel during the second quarter of 2006, despite challenges. AMD, of Sunnyvale, Calif., on July 20 reported second-quarter revenue of $1.22 billion and earnings per share of 18 cents for the period. Company executives expressed disappointment in the revenue figures, which […]

Intel Shakes Up Top Management

Intels mobile executives are moving upward. Following its second-quarter earnings release, the Santa Clara, Calif., chip maker told employees on July 19 that senior executives Sean Maloney and David Perlmutter have been promoted, giving them more responsibility over the companys day-to-day operations. Maloney, who ran the companys Mobility Group along with Perlmutter, is now Intels […]

Gateway Aims to Reinvigorate Direct Sales

Gateway says its latest turnaround effort is on track. The Irvine, Calif., computer maker, whose CEO Wayne Inouye resigned on February 9, said that its making progress on numerous fronts, including beefing up its direct sales—later this quarter, it will open a new customer support center to serve those customers—as well as searching for a […]

PC Makers Wheel and Deal to Avoid Slowdown

PC makers are beginning to offer far more aggressive prices, in addition to delivering extras to customers, all in an attempt to weather slowing worldwide PC unit shipment growth. So far, 2006 hasnt become like 2001—the period in recent history where a tanking economy caused PC shipments to decrease year over year—but the wave of […]

Intels Otellini Links Layoffs to Turnaround Plan

Intel says its plan to lay off 1,000 managers worldwide is a bet on its future. The company began informing those managers affected by the job cuts—which could be the first such action resulting from a broad-based internal review of its business—on the morning of July 13. Intel, which has been under pressure from rival […]

Intel to Lay Off 1,000 Managers

Intel is set to lay off about 1,000 managers worldwide in a bid to streamline its operations. The company began informing those managers affected by the cuts on July 13. The move comes as Intel, which has been under pressure from rival Advanced Micro Devices of late, has progressed through about two months of a […]

Dell to Cut PC Rebates, not Prices

Dell has decided do away with rebates in an effort to get to the bottom line on its PC prices. As expected, the PC maker will begin phasing out rebates and other special offers in August in favor of presenting lower prices upfront to SMBs (small and midsize businesses) and consumers in the United States, […]

Report Predicts Layoffs at Intel

Intel may cut a significant portion of its work force following the completion of a broad business review, one analyst says. The chip maker could reduce its employee roster of about 100,000 by between 10,000 and 15,000, according to a July 13 report published by analyst Doug Freedman of American Technology Research in San Francisco. […]

Dell Takes On Pricing in Image Makeover

PC makers are going back to the basics on pricing in an attempt to entice buyers. Dell, which has scheduled a news announcement for July 13, is expected to reveal a revised PC pricing strategy that will present SMBs (small and midsize businesses) and consumers with a more straightforward menu of price options. The move, […]

Intel Core 2 Duo to Star in Long Hello

Intel is planning a lengthy introduction for its Core 2 Duo processors. The chip giant is expected to officially roll out its Core 2 Duo for desktop PCs, otherwise known as “Conroe,” on July 27 at an event at its headquarters in Santa Clara, Calif. At the same event, it will offer more detail on […]