Microsoft Will Call Gates To Testify This Week
Posted by configure on 22 April 2002 - 09:40 · 7 comments & 56 views
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Gates will "talk about the evolution of the PC ecosystem and Microsoft's role in fostering innovation in the PC industry" according to a company statement. More importantly, he will testify "how the remedies proposed by the non-settling states would imperil not only Microsoft's business, but also cause harm to PC industry and consumers".
Nine states that refuse to sign up to Microsoft's settlement with the Department of Justice are proposing more stringent remedies for Microsoft's illegal actions. They want a modular Windows, more API openness, and a guarantee to support Java in future versions of the operating system, among other things.
During the original trial in 1999, which Microsoft lost, Gates did not testify in person, choosing instead to appear in videotaped testimony. Many believe this harmed the case - Gates' answers were considered evasive and the questioning frequently seemed farcical. Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson, who was hearing the case, laughed and shook his head during at least one session of Gates' taped testimony.
Also testifying this week on Microsoft's behalf will be Chris Jones, corporate vice president of the Windows Client Team at Microsoft. He will testify that to adopt the remedies proposed by the states will harm the design of the operating system.
He will be joined by Rob Short, Microsoft's corporate vice president of Windows Base OS Kernel. Short will testify on the consequences to the interoperability of the Windows client-server model, and the modularization of Windows XP. He is expected to claim parts of the OS, such as the Internet Explorer browser, cannot be removed without harming the overall product.
Only three names have been put forward to testify this week, compared to seven last week, suggesting that Microsoft expects Gates to get quite a grilling at the hands of the states' attorneys, as well under examination by its own lawyers.
Looks Good, Runs Well
In addition to the classy new midsize tower chassis, the 500C we tested includes Gateway's 15-inch FPD 1530 color-matched LCD, which makes the whole setup a more elegant desktop package. The monitor offers crisp, legible text and vivid colors and flesh tones, although it seemed to have a small viewable angle.
The 500C isn't all about looks: It's got power, too. Priced at $1249, the 500S is essentially a midlevel value system--even though it contains one of Intel's newer 2-GHz Pentium 4s. With 256MB of DDR memory, this Windows XP Professional system earned a respectable 108 on PC WorldBench 4--only three points below the average for 2.2-GHz systems.
The system also includes a 40GB hard drive, a 16X-48X DVD-ROM drive, a 24X/10X/40X CD-RW drive, a GeForce2 MX200 graphics card with 32MB of SDRAM, integrated sound, Boston Acoustics BA745 speakers, and Microsoft Works Suite 2002.
PC World evaluated a mid-priced system, but if you're looking for a Gateway for more--or less--money, there's likely a 500 series in your price range. Those on a tighter budget can examine the 500SE, which includes a 15-inch flat panel LCD, 1.6-GHz P4, 128MB DDR SDRAM, a 20GB hard drive, and a CD-RW drive for $999. On the pricier side is the 500XL, which includes an 18-inch flat panel LCD, a 2.4-GHz P4, 512MB of DDR SDRAM, a 120GB hard drive, and a DVD-ROM and CD-RW drive for $2799.
Notebooks Debut, Too
Gateway is also rolling out three new slick-looking series of notebooks: the 200, 450, and 600.
The Gateway 200 is an ultra-portable three-pound notebook that includes integrated WiFi. The base price is $1999 and includes a 933-MHz PIII M processor, 256MB of SDRAM, a 20GB hard drive, a 12.1-inch display, Windows XP (Home or Pro), plus a separate docking station that includes support for DVD, CD-RW, or DVD/CD-RW combo drives (total weight with the dock is just over 5 pounds).
Gateway is offering two new, more configurable notebooks, too. The Gateway 450 weighs in at 5.5 pounds and starts at $1499. Gateway offers the 450 in a variety of configurations, each featuring an Intel P4 processor and a host of hard drives, memory configurations, operating systems, and optical drives.
The Gateway 600 is a desktop replacement system that offers a wide range of configurations, including one with a huge 15.7-inch display. The base price is $1799, and configurations include P4 M chips, up to 512MB of DDR SDRAM, various hard drive sizes, and dual modular bays that can house two optical drives or two additional hard drives.