Linux beats MS to support Itanium

Intel's first 64-bit CPU, the Itanium, is scheduled for release in the first half of 2001. Despite promises by CEO Steve Ballmer, Microsoft will not have a production version of Windows modified to use the 64-bit architecture when the chip hits the market. Itianium-compatible versions of Linux from Red Hat, Turbolinux and Caldera Systems are, however, scheduled for concurrent release with the chip. It is not clear, though, that Microsoft's lagging will actually hurt the company financially as, thus far, corporations are resisting conversion to Windows 2000, a far less costly migration.

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