October 26, 1999 Web posted at: 2:33 p.m. EDT (1833 GMT) by Dan Neel and Ephraim Schwartz

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(IDG) -- In its broadest processor launch to date, Intel will introduce 15 new Pentium III and Pentium III Xeon processors this week, marking the first time the Coppermine processor has been used in systems for mobile computer users.

Advancing Moore's theory that smaller is faster, the once 0.25-micron-based Pentiums have been manufactured to 0.18 microns, with Intel claiming a 28 percent boost in performance.

Across the board, notebook system vendors are using the opportunity of having a new processor platform to make additional changes inside the box, something IT managers have come to expect but are never happy with.

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"It doesn't make our job any easier when computer manufacturers begin changing configurations," said Eric Thomas, IT manager at Robertson Stephens Banc, in Boston. "But it's necessary if you want to increase the capacity of the computer. The changes aren't always backwards-compatible."

Three out of five Compaq Armada laptop computers have been upgraded with the new Pentium IIIs, and will ship this week. The Armada E500 will also include three slots that can all simultaneously house batteries for a total of nine hours of battery life, according to Compaq.

Dell will try to take some of the complexity out of this week's announcements by offering only the 500-MHz version of the mobile Pentium III chips on its system.

"From our perspective, the overwhelming majority of customers want the highest performance so they can ride it as long as possible," said David Graves, a spokesman at Dell in Austin, Texas.

Along with the processor upgrades, Dell also is changing the video solution, going from NeoMagic to ATI.

In addition, IBM will upgrade its ThinkPad 600x models with the new processors and introduce a new model with changes to digital video disc and video.

For deployment of the latest notebook systems, IT organizations have one of two choices. Companies that plan to make the transition in January will have to start testing now. However, if the deployment schedule is set for the second quarter of 2000, companies can wait until the next mobile announcement from Intel in the first quarter. That's when the chip giant is expected to announce even faster Pentium III processors with the dual-speed Geyserville technology.

Desktops are more problematic.

Intel has chosen to delay shipping its 820 chipset and is pushing the new Pentium IIIs with the support of a variety of other chips

"Obviously, it would be great to have [the 820] today, but it's mainly for desktops, so I don't see any reason for holding back," said Manny Vara, an Intel representative.

In the wake of Intel's Pentium III launch, a slew of product announcements and upgrades have ensued, upping the ante on the desktop question of whether to buy now or wait for the maximum-performance chip set.

IBM will ship its new Coppermine-driven PC 300 PL and 300 GL in early November. Big Blue spokesperson Bob Page warns that IT managers can expect system prices from all of the vendors to be high in the introduction phase. IBM's PL desktop with a 733-MHz Pentium III will start around $2,500.

"They are priced so high, we don't think many people will be buying them. It has been a long time since we've seen prices like that," Page said. The processor is costing vendors up to $700, Page added.

"The next few months will give IT managers a chance to update their infrastructures, clean house a little," said Will Person, a senior analyst at Olicom, in Richardson, Texas. But you can bet computer companies will still want to get their products to the market, as they don't want to be lined up at the starting gate with a crowd. But don't expect a big industry run until after year's end. Everyone wants redundancy, no one wants their system down."

Dan Neel is an InfoWorld reporter. InfoWorld Editor at Large Ephraim Schwartz is based in San Francisco.