Intel"s forthcoming 915 (the Grantsdale) and 925 (the Alderwood) series of chipsets, expected to hit the market in June, will not bundle drivers for either Microsoft Windows 98 or Windows ME operating systems (OS), according to sources at Taiwanese motherboard makers. The new chipsets will only offer Microsoft support for the more up-to-date versions of the Windows 2000 and Windows XP.
Intel"s strategy will force users to upgrade their OSs when they buy new motherboards based either on the 915 or the 925 chipsets, said the sources. Although not supported by the 915 and 925 chipsets, both Windows 98 and Windows ME are compatible to the two chips, but neither OS will run as efficiency as it should, said the sources. Intel"s strategy, though unlikely to affect the sales of its two chips, does leave a niche open in the market, paving the way for Taiwan-based chipset makers like VIA Technologies and Silicon Integrated Systems (SiS) to roll out new chipsets that will continue offering support to the Windows 98 and Windows ME, said the sources.