MicroDesign Resources Presents the Second Annual “PC Tech Forum”
SEBASTOPOL, Calif. — March 31, 1997 — As the PC industry heads into a most challenging era, MicroDesign Resources (MDR) hosts the second annual PC Tech Forum, May 19-22 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel adjacent to the San Francisco Airport in Burlingame, Calif.
The four-day Forum consists of a two-day conference, giving a broad industry overview from technology leaders in the PC industry, and two all-day seminars that examine PC technologies in detail. Highlights from the conference agenda include:
— The announcement of a new x86 PC microprocessor from a new vendor.
— The debut of new 3D graphics acceleration technology from Rendition, Trident and 3Dlabs.
— Who is driving the PC platform from keynote speaker Gateway2000 chairman and CEO Ted Waitt.
— Talks from Michael Slater, founder of MDR and Principal Analyst of Microprocessor Report and PC technical leaders from companies including Silicon Graphics, Intel, Diba and NEC.
— Clarification of the divergent trends in the industry from analysts from Ziff-Davis, Computer Intelligence, Stanford Resources, and Disk/Trend.
Call 1-800/527-0288 for registration. On the Web, information is available at www.MDRonline.com/pctfnow.
In describing PC Tech Forum, Michael Slater, founder and principal analyst for MDR and Microprocessor Report, said today, "The conference is the one time each year that personal computing hardware technology leaders can get together and really debate the direction of the platform. While Microsoft and Intel play a strong and positive role in the industry, it is important to have a venue where PC OEMs and technology suppliers can get analysis that puts their interests first." He continued on to say, "PC Tech Forum's focus on a broad definition of personal computing that includes handheld devices, network computers, and information appliances, alongside its in-depth look at the Windows platform, gives the conference breadth and depth not found elsewhere."
PC Tech Forum provides the straight answers for a technically sophisticated audience, with insights designed for business decision making. And, with a focus on a 12-24 month time frame, the talks presented will drive both the short- and mid-range technology and market planning. PC Tech Forum covers all the critical PC technology areas in depth for engineering managers, product planners, technical marketers and the investment community.
The Two-Day Conference:
Conference Day One — Tuesday, May 20, is launched by Keynote Speaker, Ted Waitt, Chairman and CEO, Gateway2000. His remarks, titled "The Industry is Cruising, But Who's Behind the Wheel?" addresses the changing role of the PC OEM and how the evolution of the platform will flow from the interaction of consumer demand and technology evolution. Also on the agenda for Day One are topics including The Outlook for Disk Drives, System Architecture Trends, Microprocessor Strategies for PC Makers and Market and Performance Trends for Flat-Panel Displays.
Conference Day Two — Wednesday, May 21. The morning sessions focus on Implementing Multimedia and 3D Graphics. Hardware/Software Tradeoffs, DVD Strategies, Design Approaches for 3D Graphics, Picking the Right 3D Solution…plus a discussion of Direct3D, Talisman and the Evolution of 3D APIs, provide a morning of succinct dissection of the pros and cons of software and hardware-based multimedia implementations. The afternoon sessions will take a look at The World Beyond PCs, with the latest technologies ranging from NetPCs and Java, Windows CE, a Lower Cost Entry-Level PC, Information Appliances and Game Machines to a panel discussion on Key Changes that Will Reshape Personal Computing. The day ends with a summary discussion laying out the roadmaps for success across the various PC markets and technologies.
Pre- and Post-Conference Seminars
Pre-Conference seminars — Monday, May 19, Michael Slater, founder of MDR and editorial director of Microprocessor Report, discusses CPU Strategies for Today's and Tomorrow's Personal Computers. The choices for PC microprocessors continue to broaden exponentially and this seminar provides a comprehensive review of all processors serving the PC market, with particular attention to their prospects and challenges. Also on Monday, May 19, is a seminar featuring Steven Przybylski, independent consultant and contributor to Microprofessor Report on The New DRAMs for Main Memory and Graphics.
Just as the industry is adjusting to the shift from EDO DRAM to Synchronous DRAM, it appears that a new shift is on the horizon. This seminar, presented by one of the most knowledgeable industry analysts, addresses the real impact of these changes on PCs and other system types.
Post Conference Seminar — Thursday, May 22 — Meeting the Multimedia Challenge: DVD and 3D Technology for the PC is the topic tackled by Peter N. Glaskowsky, senior analyst of Technology Roadmap and senior editor, Microprocessor Report. This seminar includes a comprehensive review of the latest products from all major chip vendors and an explanation of key software APIs. Also on the day's agenda is Jim Turley, senior editor of Microprocessor Report, with Microprocessor Options for Personal Computing Devices. The seminar analyzes the microprocessor options for a whole new class of computing devices demanding high-performance, low-power and low-cost processors including hand-held computers, network computers, set-top boxes and game machines.
MDR, with a 10-year history of tracking the industry, is considered the leader in providing unbiased analysis and insight into the PC and microprocessor industries through the publication of Microprocessor Report and Technology Roadmap. In addition to sponsoring PC Tech Forum, MDR also hosts Microprocessor Forum. Now in its tenth year, this premier conference has become the venue in which many of the year's most significant new microprocessors are unveiled. If you are in the computer industry, then you can't miss PC Tech Forum. For more information, call MDR at 707/824-4001. Or access the Web at www.MDRonline.com/pctfnow . For press credentials, please contact Pam Hamilton at 415/381-8198 or [email protected] .
CONTACT:
Pam Hamilton, 415/381-8198
[email protected]