Intel and AMD represent the oligopoly over the semiconductor chip maker market in the PC and

laptop space. In recent years, this industry is relying on innovation coming from chip makers in
the mobile space for tablets and smartphones, but these two firms command a significant
proportion of the CPU's used in computers today. The Pentium 4, Athlon and Sempron represent
series from both chip makers that have been phased out for the multi-core processors that are
most common today.

The Pentium 4 processor family is made by Intel. The Sempron processor family is manufactured
by AMD. These are the two leading companies in processor technology. The two
processor families share some characteristics, but each brand also has some unique features.

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) is one of the leading researchers and manufacturers of
advanced processor technology in the world. Its many partners, including Hewlett Packard
(HP), license various technologies such as the popular Sempron and Athlon chips for use in
their personal computer (PC) and mobile computer divisions. Both the Athlon and Sempron
were developed primarily for the PC and dual core motherboards allowing them to work
with multiple processors.
1.

AMD Sempron

The AMD Sempron processor is designed to meet the needs of home and business PC users. AMD Sempron processors are 32-
bit and offer capabilities that include HyperTransport technology, up to 512K total high-performance cache, advanced 333Mhz
frontside bus and an integrated DDR memory controller.

AMD Sempron Web AMD provides product briefs, benchmarks, technical documentation and more for their Sempron
page processors.

Sempron 3400+ Review by SharkyExtreme - "The main part of the Sempron market appeal is related to its low price and
Processor Review high value, and even though the Sempron 3400+ is the top performer in the AMD entry-level line, relative
  pricing actually took a slight dip."

The Duron
From Tom's hardware Guide - AMD's AthlonXP + The Athlon64 = Sempron
Successor

AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core The AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core processor contains two processing cores, residing on one
chip, which increases efficiency and speed while running multiple programs and multi-threaded software. It enables a
seamless transition from 32-bit to 64-bit applications. Both 32- and 64-bit applications can run virtually simultaneously and
transparently on the same platform.
AMD Athlon 64 Web Includes links to information on Athlon 64 FX, Athlon 64 x2 Dual-core, 64 Processor for Desktops, and
page Mobile Athlon 64

Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Review by SharkyExtreme - "The Athlon 64 X2 processors are the first true dual core processors for the
Processor Review desktop, and compared to the Intel Pentium D/Pentium EE design, offer a more streamlined and forward-
 thinking architecture."

Developed by Linus Torvalds and further elaborated by a number of developers throughout the world Linux (lee'nuhks/ or
/li'nuks/,_not_/li:'nuhks) is a freely available multitasking and multi-user operating system. From the outset, Linux was placed
under General Public License (GPL). The system can be distributed, used and expanded free of charge. In this way, developers
have access to all the source codes, thus being able to integrate new functions easily or to find and eliminate programming
bugs quickly. Thereby drivers for new adapters (SCSI controller, graphics cards, etc.) can be integrated very rapidly.

Linux may be obtained in two different ways. All the necessary components can be downloaded free of charge from the
Internet. This means that an individual operating system can be assembled for almost nothing. An alternative is to use a so-
called Distribution, offered by various companies and including a wide range of applications and installation programs that
significantly simplify the installation of Linux.

Presently, Linux is successfully being used by several millions of users worldwide. The composition of user groups varies from
private users, training companies, universities, research centers right through to commercial users and companies, who view
Linux as a real alternative to other operating systems.

VARIANTS

Caldera Linux
Corel Linux
Debian Linux
Kondara Linux
Red Hat Linux
Mandrake Linux
Slackware Linux
SuSE Linux
Turbolinux
Vector Linux

Mac OS 9 is the latest public release of the Apple operating system, which includes new and unique features not found in any
other operating system. Below are some of the new features found with this new operating system.

Sherlock 2 - Which offers the capability of quickly searching and purchasing online.
3D acceleration - Support for technologies such as OpenGL, allowing improved video and a wider gaming experience.
Share files - Share files and folders over the Internet with other Mac users.
Colorsync 3.0 - Manages color even more efficiently.
Synchronize - Synchronizes with Palm computing products using HotSync software.
TCP/IP - Provides access to TCP/IP networks.
Lock System - Ensures that System Folders and Applications do not accidentally get reconfigured by having the capability of
locking the system.

SAD MAC ERRORS

If the "happy Macintosh" and the "Welcome to Macintosh" screens appear before the "sad Macintosh", the problem is
probably in the system software.

When the "sad Macintosh" face appears immediately at power up, it usually means a hardware problem. Some of the common
hardware issues are problems with SIMMs or hard drive