Dual-core Xeon to launch soon

Intel appears ready to launch its dual-core Xeon processors next week, but as PC World comments, even though this is ahead of schedule, it is still months behind the competition.

Although HP, Dell and IBM have all made announcements about dual-core server systems being released this month, the report says an Intel spokesperson declined to comment on the potential launch date for the dual-core Xeon chips.

The report also comments that a 10 October launch will mark the end of a significant gap in performance between Intel`s single-core Xeon processors and Advanced Micro Devices` dual-core Opteron processors.

Microsoft is adding PDF support to Office 12 to enable users to create PDF format documents from within the Office suite.

The Register says users of the coming version of Office will have an option to "save to PDF". The facility will be added to Word, Excel, Publisher and PowerPoint.

Microsoft says it is adding the feature to enable users to share documents with people who are not using Microsoft Office.

HP will begin including the Netscape Internet browsing software on its PCs.

According to a Market Watch report, HP says that beginning early next year, consumers in the US and Canada will be able to select the Netscape program as their browser of choice when they set up their machines.

The report says the agreement could help revive the fortunes of the Netscape brand after years of Microsoft`s Internet Explorer being pre-loaded onto most laptop and desktop PCs.