Thursday, January 28, 1999

• Good morning.
• Chipmakers outline 600 MHz plans. (CNet)

• Processor availability update:

Tuesday, January 26, 1999

• Good morning.
• The AOpen AX6Bc motherboard is available.  If you are interested you may call us at 800-427-3726.
• Intel is releasing the SECC2 version of the Pentium II 400 MHz.  This transition will occur slowly over the next month.  Supply will tighten up.
• Compaq to spin off Altavista. (News.com) -- Here's a shock.. lol.
• San Jose Mercury News sets up http://www.siliconvalley.com/
• FTC orders Apple to provide the promised free technical support.

• Processor availability update:

Friday, January 22, 1999

• Popular base system combinations this week:
  • AOpen AX6B with Boxed Pentium II processors and 128 MB of memory
  • ASUS P2B with Boxed Pentium II processors and 128 MB of memory
  • Abit BH6 with Celeron 400 MHz processors and 64 MB of memory
  • Epox MVP3G-M with AMD K6-2/400 MHz processors
• ASUS P2B; Boxed Intel Pentium II 450 MHz processor; 256 MB of PC100 SDRAM (Corsair CM754S256-BX/S); in a YY Server Champ with redundant power supplies.  If you purchase before 1 PM, we can still ship today.
• We've tried another video.  The MS440GX motherboard plus mid-tower. (RealPlayer plugin required)

• Processor availability update:

Thursday, January 21, 1999

• We've tried another video.  The MS440GX motherboard plus mid-tower. (RealPlayer plugin required)
• The Register has many excellent articles today.  Intel serial numbers, investments into Samsung, and more about Andy Grove.  Rather than point to each one, here is the front page.
• In the spirit of preparing for this year's Intel Developer Forum, here are some slides from last year.  Now, you should pay close attention to the memory section.
• With all of the talk in the press about Rambus, you'd almost forget about the transitional S-RIMMs.

"It is in Intel's best interest to go ahead with the S-RIMM option. That way, computers can go out to the market with Intel's new CPU and core logic, and the OEMs then would be able to better plan their supply chain," said one source.

• Processor availability update:

Tuesday, January 19, 1999

• We thought this article on the purchase of Excite was extremely interesting . News.com wrote the article.  They also made their own announcement.   Small world.
• We'd like to wish Dave good luck with his new job and career at New Frontiers.  You might want to read his message posted on their company website.
• Question of the day. Does the Pentium III only work with CL2 memory?

According to a rumor we've heard, the new ABIT motherboard will only work with CL2 memory when paired with the Pentium III.  As more information surfaces, we'll have to sit back and watch to see if this is true with all BX chipset boards or simply a particular revision.

• Thinking of Pentium III pricing ... we've seen several companies start to take orders.  We know that everyone is extremely anxious (including us), but we resist because prices fluctuate.   We do know that prices should be below $600 for the 450 MHz (eg. $591 if taken today).  As we get closer to the launch date pricing will become more established.   Please be patient - we still have many weeks to go before we see product!  Our sample hasn't even arrived from Intel  According to Intel, our sample should arrive in two weeks or so.
• Yes, we generally use a just-in-time inventory system.  We bring products in as you request them.  Sometimes, we make an exception.  We have extra product in inventory today.  Abit BH6 motherboards; AOpen AX6B motherboards; Intel Boxed Pentium II 350 MHz processors (SECC2); Intel Boxed Pentium II 450 MHz processors (from bulk pack to be used in systems); and of course, Teac 32x IDE CD ROMs, floppy drives, and YY cases.  Let us know by 1 PM Pacific time and we can ship these items today.
• YY-B0210 mini-server cube has become quite popular with our clients.   "Contemporary," "sleek," "stylish," "well designed" and "easy to use" are some phrases we've heard.  It's as useful as a tower, and can even sit on the corner of a desk or on the floor.
• New shipping boxes for board, processor, and memory orders arrived today.   We've been rather creative in re-using boxes.  However, it isn't very cost effective when we waste time trying to match boxes.  UPS also uses dimensional weights of the box for air services rather than actual weights.  Therefore, a low weight box might end up costing more.  These new boxes will hopefully cut shipping costs.

• Processor availability update:

Friday, January 15, 1999

• Albert and Gracie have been on vacation.  Albert spent his time reading and sleeping.  Gracie went on an action packed retreat into the mountains.   Now that they are back, we can listen into their latest conversation about computer upgrades.

Gracie:  Hey Al.  What are you doing?
Albert:  I'm upgrading my PC.
Gracie: You know how to do that?  I'm impressed.
Albert:  Sure, I'm changing the T to a B and inserting a 2 for 1.
Gracie:  Excuse me?
Albert:  Oh, I forgot.  You don't know all those Acrimonious things.  For those of you who aren't nerds.  Let me translate.  I'm changing my Pentium based TX chipset motherboard with a BX chipset based Pentium II motherboard.
Gracie:  Hmm.  Are you really sure that you know what you are doing?
Albert:  Sure.  Sure.  Here, Grace, would you please hand me that long handled do-op over there.
Gracie:  The screwdriver?
Albert:  No, the can opener over there.  I need to slip off the top of the case.
Gracie:  Wouldn't it be better to just unscrew those four screws on the back of the chassis?
Albert:  Hey - this is my upgrade.  If you know so much then you can do your own.

Days later
Gracie:  Hey, Al.  You look kind of sad.  What's up?
Albert::  I think the building doesn't have any electricity.
Gracie:  (with power cord in mouth)  Would this help?
Albert:  What's that?
Gracie:  It's the power cord.  You plug this part into the back of the computer and the other side into the wall.
Albert:  I knew that.

Days later
Gracie:  Hey, Al.  What are you doing?
Albert:  Thinking
Gracie:  That's a shock.  You look concerned.
Albert:  I spent the last week upgrading my machine and yet I can't go sailing.
Gracie:  Sailing?  Do you mean surfing the Internet?
Albert:  No, sailing.  There isn't any wind.
Gracie:  Well, I'm sure you will figure it out.
Albert:  Yeah.  Once I get the win doze to wake up I can then contact my PSI to get onto the Internet.

• Processor availability update:

Thursday, January 14, 1999

• ABIT BH6 motherboards are in stock.
• ABIT BX6 motherboards are going through a revision change.  Abit expects to have product available in the middle of next week.
• Epox continues to ship us the 3G motherboards.
• We've been changing the way we test motherboards.  Microsoft has a set of tests which some of the technicians adopted at the beginning of this week.   These tests take much longer to complete and not all of the boards have been passing.
• We've finally caught up with the sales of Intel Boxed Pentium II 350 MHz processors.  There is product available to ship overnight.
• YY Computer's black cube is catching a lot of attention.  We've added a few other black accessories to go with the B0210 cube. 
  • Teac 3.5" floppy, black
  • Teac 32x IDE CDROM, black

  Sony will do a special run of black DVD ROMs.  These will be available mid-February (they expect it will take 3 to 4 weeks on their end).  We will offer the bare drive and decoder once they are available.

  If you'd like to preview the B0210, we've added a short video clip (RealPlayer required).  This is really just a test run.  After hearing your suggestions, we'll do more on other cases too.

• Processor availability update:

Wednesday, January 13, 1999

• Abit BH6 motherboards will be available next week.  The product will continue to be on heavy allocation.
• Intel Boxed Pentium II 350 MHz processors continue to be available.
• You may find it tricky to install Windows 98 onto your hard drive when it is attached to an Epox MVP3G-M and AMD K6/2 400 MHz.  Depending on your keyboard and mouse, you may have to enable or disable the "power on" feature.  
• Registered 256 MB modules from Corsair will not operate in the Epox MVP3G-M motherboard.
• Please read this if you are having trouble installing a Celeron into a BX chipset motherboard.
  The Universal retention mechanism will keep the unit from easily sliding into the slot 1 socket.  Pressure is necessary.  Sometimes it seems that you need to push a bit too hard.  If the processor isn't seated properly then the unit will not start properly.  Therefore, if your unit doesn't sound when you have the motherboard, processor, speaker, and power supply correctly connected then check the processor.
• We will be receiving another shipment of server cubes from YY.   There are 16 cubes per pallet.  If you require more than 100 units, then please make arrangements by calling 1-800-427-3726.
• Thinking of pallets.  We've been ridiculed by an equipment company that we are out of space.  We are expecting more pallet racks so that we can keep the product in good shape while it waits to be shipped.  We have a wall which can be removed to add more space but we are cautious that this will be disruptive.   Most of you know that we do not keep stock for future sales in our warehouse.   Instead product arrives each morning, runs on the bench, and then is shipped after the testing is finshed.  We have simply run out of space to operate in this manner.   We expect someone to come up with a solution - the "loft" above the offices are already being used.  Albert and Gracie have given up their corner next to the servers.  We'll think of something.  Until then, we appreciate everyone who has been ordering from us.  We appreicate it.
• Upgrade to Pentium III should be a breeze

"Intel is slated to upgrade the system bus on the Pentium III from the current 100-MHz clock speed to 133 MHz in the second half of the year. This will require a new chipset as well as additional motherboard testing, Chok said. A number of Pentium II systems use an older chipset with a 66-MHz bus, which would have to be changed in an upgrade.

Intel is also scheduled to come out with a faster version of its Advanced Graphics Port (AGP), which will require new motherboard." -- News.com

• Intel not satisfied with its share in US. retail market

"Despite reporting record earnings, revenue, net income, and microprocessor shipments for the fourth quarter of 1998, Intel Corp. said that the normal January slowdown should contribute to lower revenues during the first quarter of 1999." -- Ebonline.com

Slow down?  Hey, January is traditionally our largest month.  In fact, we hit record sales on the first day of the year and it has yet to slowdown.

• Processor availability update:

Tuesday, January 12, 1999

• Intel's Pentium III and Pentium III Xeon press release was put on their website yesterday.  Even though, we all know the information - sometimes it is nice to see it in print.
• Technology is a tool.  It can assist with storage of data and calculating answers quickly.   However, technology is not an answer to a question you have yet to ask yourself or anyone else.  You still have to think.

Do you have a bed or do you sleep on the floor?  The floor can function as a bed.  It may not be as comfortable as a mattress to some people.  Al sleeps on the floor, but he will steal a bed.

Computers have various levels of functioning too.  A computer built around a Pentium II 350 MHz processor is more power than the computers used during the Apollo moon missions.  At the same time, pulling out a piece of paper can be faster than turning on a computer, loading an application, formatting it, and printing the document. 

Why are different performance levels important?
A computer can be for entertainment.  A computer can be for work.   Computers are rarely solid game and work machine.  Home systems are frequently used as both.  Theoretically, the faster a computer performs and the less obtrusive it is in our lives, the more time we will be able to spending with children, family, and friends.   Communication will increase.  Ideas will flow.  Creativity will be stimulated.

Would you...?
When minimum memory requirements for a particular software package are 32 MB of RAM, would you purchase 768 MB of RAM?  We'd love for you to purchase it - but you don't "need" it. 

In the last few years desktop computer products have changed considerably.  PCs - XTs - ATs - 386 - 486 - Pentium - Pentium II - Pentium III ---- Guess what?   By the time an home application is out on the market "requiring" 768 MB of RAM - a new processor and motherboard will be out too (not to mention requiring a different type of memory).  There are many of our clients, though, who need the 1 GB of RAM in their servers.  A home machine doesn't need a GB of memory (yet).

Select your computers based on time computers are used, what they are used for, and a price per performance ratio. 

A small business in Phoenix used CPM machines until recently.  The CPM machines did the job.  That's the point of technology - the computer should do the job.  This last year, their software changed. And with the software change, the software's hardware requirements increased.  The company decided to replace these CMP machines with entry level PCs.  Once again, the company has accounting systems that are adequate for the function they perform.

In contrast, we know of a large corporation purchased Pentium II 450 MHz machines for their Administrative assistants and lower-end machines for their engineers.  Their engineers actually have greater system requirements than the wordprocessing and office email of the assistants.  Office email can be done on a low-cost Celeron based PC.  The company would have made a better investment if they had purchased more powerful processors and greater amounts of memory for their engineers.  

Don't be "cheap".
Bargain bins

Many computer superstores have bins of 'cheap' products.   No-names, no warranty, no returns, no support, or no clue as to which company manufacturered the product.

If you're a risk taker, then go for it.  But beware.  Know what you are getting into. 

Same model advertised at multiple companies, but such a variety of prices...why?

As you know, companies have different models for working.  Some companies will buy only from authorized distribution and reputable companies and others will buy anything from anyone cause it's cheap.  ESC has been in business since the 80s, and over time and much reinforcement through experiences, we decided that we will buy only through authorized distributors, work directly with as many manufacturers as possible, and work only with other companies who are straightforward, honest and respectable. 

Where you buy is your choice. 

Quality of product & patching a system together

If you are spending your extra time repairing a machine instead of laughing with your family, then it is time to reconsider whether you are wasting your time and money.   If you spend 1/2 hour a week fixing your PC then you have the wrong machine or need to get help. 

After all, machines should be reliable.  Trying to save $10 on an item and then spending 5 hours because it doesn't work isn't saving anything.  It is a waste of time and money.  Period. [There are exceptions - and these are the nerds trying to learn more about a machine and it's patterns.]

But save yourself some agony.  Purchase what you need from the start.  Purchase it because you need it and purchase it because you will use it.   Don't just purchase it because your friend Harry has been able to stay up all night writing a batch file which looks cool.  Harry still has responsibilities - and so do you.

Get it?  Good - we want you to be happy and not frustrated.   There is enough frustration in this world - let's not add to it.

Upgrades of upgrades

Windows for workgroups to Windows 95 to Windows 98.  Upgrades of upgrades of upgrades.  Just remember, it may not work.

We can't recommend - but you might be able to read something between the lines
Our company policies are very strict.  We will not recommend product.  But please read very carefully - ok? 

The ASUS P2B, AOpen AX6B, and ABIT BH6 motherboards have low return rates.  We rarely find products that arrive from these manufacturers as dead or have damaged components.  Clients are pleased with these motherboards.  The Celeron 400 MHz, Pentium II 350 and above are excellent processors for these boards.  The ASUS P5A and Epox MVP3G-M work well and are approved by AMD to work with the AMD K6/2 350 MHz and 400 MHz.  These boards have passed AMD's tests.  These board have proper voltage requirements to run these processors.  Intel's N440BX motherboard is the only entry level server motherboard that we offer.  It is possible to use other BX boards as servers.   We are very timid with SCSI devices.

Most technical support issues can be resolved with a good power supply and the right RAM.  Crucial Technologies, Corsair Memory, and Advantage memory are the top brands in the industry.  YY is the fifth largest case manufacturer and they own a percentage of Seventeam.  Procase manufactures cases with features that allow for future expansion and cooling.

• Processor availability update:

Friday, January 8, 1999

• Good morning.  We hope you have had a terrific day.
• Pentium III name confirmed by Intel (CNet)

We certainly aren't surprised with the name Pentium III.  Some of you might recall our April 1, 1998  joke stating that Intel surprises everyone with the Pentium III release.   Then again, we were all "quietly" hoping for a snappy name like 'Phil.'  Oh well, maybe next time.

Actually, it makes us feel rather warm and fuzzy inside that Intel will leverage the Pentium name without adding to confusion.  This naming convention makes our lives easier.  We can all live with it, respect it, and support it.   Finally - a name we know and trust !

Now, where is the #@$! product?

• Processor availability update:

Tuesday, January 5, 1999

• We hope you are having a great day.
• Crucial Technologies raised their prices 15% today.  The new prices will be posted on our website after 3 PM Pacific Time.
• The Celeron 400 MHz is available for advanced orders.  The price is $206.13.  Please call us at 800-427-3726.  We are waiting for Intel to provide us with the i-comp index.  We are also waiting to see if the BIOS on the BI440ZX supports this processor.
• Processor availability update:

• Click here to vote for ESC as a Starting Point Hot Site

Monday, January 4, 1999

• Happy New Year!  Okay - so we are still celebrating.
• AMD decreased processor prices to their distributors.  Boxed processors are still in short supply.  AMD hopes to increase the supply by February.   Tray processors are readily available. We will update AMD tray prices this evening.
• Intel lowered some processor prices today.  Distributor cost decreased approximately 40 to 49 % on Celeron processors and 3 to 5 % on Pentium II processors.  Actually, our cost on Pentium II 450 MHz and Xeon processors increased slightly.  We hope this will adjust over the week.  Boxed prices have already been updated in our shopping system.  Tray prices will be updated this evening.   It usually takes a few days for the market to reflect changes in tray prices.
• The new Celeron PPGA processors are available in 333 and 366 MHz.   Currently, we offer the BI440ZX motherboard to use with these processors.   We'll add other brands as manufacturers release product.  Intel is shifting the Celeron line over to this new socket-370 design.  
• Intel releases the New Celerons and chipset. (CNet)
• Technical specifications for the new Celeron processors. (Intel)
• Processor availability update:

• Click here to vote for ESC as a Starting Point Hot Site