Analysts cheer AMD, Dell and Microsoft as x86-64-bit winners

AMD, Dell and Microsoft have the most to gain from a large scale move to 64-bit extensions technology, according to analyst firm Illuminata. In a recent report, Illuminata ranked the major players in the 64-bit computing arena, saying just about every vendor has a chance to thrive with either AMD's Opteron processor or Intel's upcoming Xeon (now enhanced) Extender - er, Extended Memory 64 Technology. But out of all the big boys, AMD, Dell and Microsoft are best poised to profit from a 32-bit to 64-bit server transition. HP and IBM may well have the most to lose.

"x86 wasn't supposed to evolve into the 64-bit world," wrote Illuminata's Gordon Haff. "However, for reasons that include depressed technology spending and heightened risk aversion, consolidations and repositioning among vendors, and early technological missteps by Itanium, x86 has unquestionably moved into the 64-bit sphere. Breathless headlines notwithstanding (Thanks - Ed.), x86-64 isn't likely to kill Itanium, or any other processor for that matter, reckon the analysts.

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