The Essence Of Competition (Score 2, Insightful)

For all the issues with XP4 driver performance today, I have no doubt the Trident folks will improve it just like all other competitors in the past .... Although the XP4 T3 with 128MBytes is listed at $99 MSRP, I would venture to guess that you will be able to buy it next month for less than $85, and next May 2003 for less than $60 (still with 128MBytes of course). Trident's main value to MOST of us (working consumers with LIMITED income) is their RELENTLESS competitive drive to bring down the cost of high-quality graphics (which so far only affordable to the elite few) starting with DX8.1 today and DX9.0 next summer. So here is my cautious forecast .... Next August 2003, Trident offering will include a full DX9.0 card with 256MBytes XP8 for $99 and a full DX8.1 card with 128MBytes XP4 for $59 - all will support the latest AGP-8X of course. This is why (I think) the OEMs, system integrators, retailers and distributors are so excited about Trident return to the desktop market. As a final note, in case you did not know .... It was a mere 45 days ago that the ATI 9000 Pro was selling for $149 with 128MBytes and everyone thought it was a GREAT price ! With Trident XP4 entering the 128Mbytes market with an incredible $99 MSRP, the 9000 Pro price has quickly dropped 33% or more to $99 and below ! I firmly believe that for us consumers, the surest way to get "the best deal in town" is by encouring more intense competition and not by killing it ...