Intel Plans to Offer NC Standard

Intel Corp. is expected to announce today that it is developing hardware design guidelines for the computers expected to play a key role in the corporate transition to more network-oriented computing. For Santa Clara-based Intel, the move may shore up its defenses against recent inroads by low-cost processor companies in the consumer PC market and a threat from Sun Microsystems Inc. The term network computers--or NCs--refers to low-cost devices without hard drives that do not store data or applications, but rely instead on high-powered servers. Patrick Gelsinger, Intel vice president and general manager, told Reuters that the company hoped the guidelines would help ensure NCs mesh seamlessly with systems already in place that run on Intel processors. Intel plans to lay out specifications for NCs and network servers, making final versions of the guidelines available in the first quarter of 1998. Analysts said the initiative could help Intel extend its reach into high-end systems where it is still building a presence and rob opponents on the lower end of the market of some of their recent momentum.