Intel CEO Pushes Tech InvestmentsIntel CEO Pushes Tech Investments

Intel CEO Craig Barrett continues to press the message that investments in technology are critical for companies to remain competitive, despite the depressed economic environment of the past few years. "You either upgrade your IT infrastructure, or you'll be uncompetitive," he said at his company's spring meeting with analysts this week. Intel itself is purchasing 35,000 PCs this year, most of which will be wireless laptops, Barrett says.

To further spur spending, Intel will continue to push forward in several areas. One is in the development of chip processes, moving from 90 nanometers this year to 65 nanometers in 2005.

But Intel's biggest thrust will be behind its wireless technology, which will include a 90-nanometer mobile CPU later this year, code-named Dothan; Centrino support beginning in 2004 for 802.11 a/b/g; and products by the end of 2004 that support WiMax global interoperability for broadband wireless access.

Regarding Intel's role in the wireless communication market, Barrett says, "We saw a parade that was forming and marching down the street and jumped in front of it."