What’s going on? Skeptics suspect IBM of trying to make some marketing mileage out of Intel’s troubles. It has a rival chip coming out, the Power PC, and may be seeking to slow Pentium sales. Big retailers and computer-makers didn’t play along. Compaq Computer and Gateway 2000, among others, quickly announced they had done their own tests and would keep shipping machines using the chips. The bottom line for most consumers: if you’re thinking of upgrading to a Pentium, go ahead. Your chances of running into even the most minor glitch is small, notwithstanding IBM’s snipping. As for engineers and math wizards who demand infallible accuracy, Intel will soon begin shipping Pentiums purged of the celebrated flaw.
