Welcome to the 2GHz PC era: Intel on Monday officially announced the speedy Pentium 4 chip. The top-of-the-line chip is expected to usher in a new wave of Pentium 4-based PCs, as computer makers offer it in high-performance desktops. Compaq Computer, Dell Computer, Gateway and Hewlett-Packard are expected to announce support for the chip. Systems priced from $1,499 and up will be available from these and other vendors, starting as soon as this week. At the same time, Intel is reducing prices of existing Pentium 4 chips, which should bring about Pentium 4 PCs priced as low as about $900 by the end of the year. The new 2GHz chip lists for $562, which is what its existing 1.8GHz sibling had been selling for.
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