Quote Originally Posted by _Lone_Wolf_ View Post
Frankly it seems Intel is already operating as a monoploy and has been since Core 2's introduction. They are releasing new product to their own schedule and setting compelling pricing without the slightest threat from AMD. They can't arbitrarily set prices and let the market stagnate as this would both impact on their revenue and allow other competitors in. Would most people really need a PC if a net enable, keyboard equipped games console bundle with Linux and an applications suite were available?

I'm not denying competative pressure plays a role in pricing, but I think it's current importance is overstated.
Just keep telling yourself that.

AMD was eating away Intel's market share for years in a row, and you think the agressive pricing, marketing and development plan of Intel is just a coincidence? The tick-tock model didnt just fall out of the sky around 2005.

We can already see them taking some pressure off as AMD keeps failing.

Intel will cut down to what they think is an optimum between cost and production, as soon as they feel safe. Even someone with a moderate economical education can udnerstand that. And looking at the past, it's safe to say that what they have done with Core 2 and Quad is far above that optimum - especially in the light of the agressive pricing.