……

In this PC market war, one of the most lethal weapons of IBM-PC compatible machine manufacturers is to provide a wide range of models under the $2,000 price range for users to choose from, and the performance is acceptable.

This is also IBM's most helpless place, the big stupid elephant is not good at this "small profits and quick turnover" business model, the market failure of cheap models IBM-PC/JR is the best proof, and their entire IBM-PC series of product line profit margins, but still continue to be more cost-effective IBM-PC compatible machine dragged down, the pressure to lose money and make money is increasing.

It can be said that $2,000 is a landmark dividing line in the personal computer industry at this stage. If the price of the product is lower than this level, it is an indisputable low-end positioning, mainly aimed at individual users rather than commercial needs, which has a very obvious impact on the manufacturer's cost, sales, profit, and other mutually balanced profit factors.

Let's take Apple as an example, the main product MAC 128KB memory model, the price is $2495, in AppleIII, Lisa computer, AppleII after gradually withdrawing from the market, this is also the cheapest model in Apple's product line.

Of course, IBM-PC compatible machine manufacturers, which are good at low-price competition and can maintain considerable profitability at the same time, also have products above this price point. For example, CompaqPortable, a mobile IBM-PC compatible machine, was originally launched, with prices ranging from $2,995 to $3,590, depending on the configuration.

The emerging Fangyuan computer company. Naturally, it is not as perfect as the long-established iBM management mechanism. But at the same time, it does not have the bureaucratic habits that it has accumulated over the years. Therefore, it is more effective to deal with the "wolf pack" tactics of such low-price competition in the market.

But having said that, as the formulator and promoter of Fangyuan computer standards, it is impossible for Fangyuan Computer Company to really shake off its arms and make these "hard-earned money", one reason is that it is not worth it, and the other reason is to leave room for its followers to survive.

Therefore, strictly speaking, not counting those large enterprises and government orders, Fangyuan Computer Company in the retail market. There are no Fangyuan brand computers under $2,000, but there are a few under $3,000, mainly for teachers, journalists and other special individual user groups, and a major attraction is reflected in the random Zheru software suite.

In other words, to crack down on IBM-PC compatible machines, which are a bit hysterical at this stage, we also need to rely on Fangyuan personal computer compatible machines, because they have more flexible cost reduction measures in Fangyuan personal computer standards.

For example, in the face of market segments, to make a fuss about the scalability of Fangyuan's personal computer architecture, the big aspect can be carried by direct soldering instead of memory sticks, and some expansion slots can be abandoned. The small aspect reduces some of the electronic components and wiring that are useless for low-end products.

After some discussion, everyone came up with nothing more than that.

"That's not enough." Tang Huan groaned and said, "On the basis of your suggestions. Add another condition, Zheru, Adobe and other companies cooperate to come up with application software preferential plans and make a combination punch. In addition, Zheru can provide FreeDOS license fees for free for a period of time in terms of operating systems. ”

This is another place where Fangyuan's personal computer standards are better than other personal computer standards including IBM-PC in terms of hardware architecture, and software developers led by Zheru have created a powerful application ecosystem for Fangyuan's personal computer platform.

The most powerful IBM-PC platform among competitors, the independent software developers that can get their hands on it are none other than Lotus Software and DBase.

As for the more software developers like MicroPro International, which develops the word processing software WordStar, they move between various hardware platforms, rushing to the past where it is profitable, and refusing to be tied to a single hardware platform.

Microsoft is an outlier, and if you don't consider MS-DOS, the operating system for IBM-PC, it's also an ISV that tries to take all popular hardware platforms.

Tang Huan's proposal lifted the spirits of the participants. John Chambers further added: "The combination of hardware and software should not be limited to the direction of attacking IBM-PC compatible machines, other products also need this kind of firepower support, and we will take advantage of the launch of four generations of Fangyuan personal computers to launch a global war this year." ”

"One of the main reasons why our computer products have been able to repeatedly win heavyweight orders from the government, military, research institutes and large enterprises is that our products are not only cheaper than traditional mainframes and small computers, but also have a clear roadmap, and in the coming time, the maintenance and upgrade of hardware and software are very certain."

"In stark contrast, IBM, and the 'six doors', have not yet been able to offer a new generation of products that can compete with the four generations of Fangyuan PCs, and naturally they cannot make any strong promises in future maintenance and upgrades."

"We can't afford to miss this opportunity." At this point, John Chambers made a vicious gesture, "Take advantage of his illness, kill him!" ”

"You can discuss these specific promotion measures." Tang Huan smiled slightly, "Perhaps, I can help you find more interesting business opportunities." ”

John Chambers, who was very interested, hurriedly asked, "What business opportunity?" ”

"You'll find out with me later." Tang Huan laughed incomprehensibly, and then said: "When Jack Trammell was the CEO of Commodore earlier, he was very good at operating cheap computers, and he brutally defeated Texas Instruments, and even took home video game consoles. Isn't he now buying the Atari PC division and setting up a company called Trammell Computer to engage in direct sales, and with a little more support from our side, maybe we can surprise those arrogant IBM-PC compatible machines. ”

"Okay, wait for a meeting with Fangyuan PC compatible machine manufacturers. I'm going to talk to Jack Trammell about that. John Chambers nodded in agreement.

……

After the adjournment of the meeting. Tang Huan asked the assistant to bring a document on Intel's recent situation and read it. I found that although his situation was a bit bad, it was not to the point where the leaky ship sank.

Recently, Intel has just announced that it will completely withdraw from the memory business that it started and brought brilliant achievements, which has really caused quite a stir.

For Intel itself, the tough Andy? The change that Grove is pushing for has not hesitated to cut off an arm – a large number of employees have been laid off, and seven memory-producing semiconductor factories have to be disposed of.

Fortunately, the prospect of strong microprocessor demand driven by the rapid development of personal computers has given Intel a shot in the arm during the labor pain.

Especially recently, the small group of 'Six Doors' has been jumping up and down and making a lot of fun. Invisibly, Intel's new generation of microprocessor Intel 80386 has made a very effective free advertisement.

If Intel can get computer manufacturers to agree to abandon the second supplier system, and at the same time increase its own Intel 80386 production capacity, then the company will still have a lot to do in the future.

Therefore, savvy investors are not in a hurry to abandon Intel, and Tang Huan does not have to go through the trouble of buying the market.

Tang Huan thought about it, and then contacted Baodao UMC and Singapore Chartered Semiconductor, and provided them with the news that Intel was dealing with the memory production line, and let him consider how to choose.

At this point, John Chambers came back and asked, "Don." The business opportunities you just mentioned are there, and I can't wait for them. ”

"It seems. You are in the position of CEO of a listed company, and when you hear the news about improving performance, you can't calm down. Tang Huan smiled and joked, then waved his hand, "Then go to the Zheru R&D Center to have a look, some of the results there are very interesting." ”

……

When Tang Huan and John Chambers arrived, the arrangements were ready.

They first walked into the first room, which was simply furnished, with a set of ordinary office equipment and a clerk typing.

Then, the two walked into a second room, not far away, which was similarly ordinary, with a slight striking note that a television had been disassembled and attached to a box unit by several wires.

"Let's start the demo." Tang Huan waved his hand and commanded.

Confused, John Chambers stared curiously at the television with a lot of snowflakes on the screen, and after a while, intermittent characters appeared on the image, and someone next to him was holding a pen and paper to make notes.

The experiment was boring and inexplicable, but fortunately it didn't last long and ended quickly.

"Do you feel anything different?" Tang Huan, who was calm and relaxed, asked casually.

"It's an ordinary environment." John Chambers shook his head in annoyance, not forgetting to make a joke, "It's just that this TV and the recorder next to it are a little weird, like a spy." ”

Tang Huan smiled noncommittally, just as the recorder handed over the recorded file, and another person brought a printed manuscript from outside that still smelled of ink.

After comparing the contents of the two documents, Tang Huan casually gave it to John Chambers, "This is the result of the experiment." ”

"Was this printed document typed by the typist in the first room?" John Chambers asked a little inexplicably as he flipped through it.

"Yes, but that's not the point." Tang Huan leisurely explained: "To be precise, it is what used to appear on the screen of the computer's CRT monitor. ”

John Chambers subconsciously sighed, and then suddenly he realized, his hand shook, and the document fell to the ground with a snap.

Hurriedly bending down to pick up the documents, John Chambers quickly compared the contents of the two documents, the reporter walked to the TV and looked at it, and then turned back to Tang Huan with an incredulous face, "Could it be that this TV with this box device can steal information from the computer screen in the next room." ”

"If you don't believe me, you can repeat this experiment again." Tang Huan shrugged, "That's right, I want to confirm it too." ”

John Chambers was not bored with the experiment, nor could he sit there patiently waiting, but kept shuttling back and forth between the two rooms, sweating profusely, without the slightest hint of being the CEO of the world's most valuable company.

After testing the latest experimental results, John Chambers, who shook his head, exclaimed incredulously, and then said with trepidation: "Doesn't this experimental result show that those who have a heart can hide outside the office building and steal our trade secrets." ”

"It's a possibility." Tang Huan nodded calmly, "But it's not just us, but everyone, all of us have to face this risk of information leakage caused by the electromagnetic radiation of the CRT monitor screen." ”

Speaking of this, Tang Huan stood up, paced back and forth a few steps, and then slowly continued to explain: "It must be pointed out that this information leakage method is just one example; The same can be done by mechanical vibrations caused by keystrokes and interception of packets on the network; It can even launch a bypass attack on the cryptography system through information such as power consumption and time difference. ”

"This ...... It's horrible! John Chambers put his hand on his forehead, "It makes me feel like I don't feel safe even when I'm sitting in my office." ”

"No way, with the advancement of technology, these issues that were originally only considered by the military and intelligence agencies will now be touched upon by the field of public research." Tang Huan smiled disapprenantly, then stared at John Chambers's face playfully and asked, "John, don't you think that your psychological state is very representative of those executives, there are unlimited business opportunities here." And since we have studied this result, we can naturally come up with corresponding solutions. ”

John Chambers is also one of the world's top CEOs, and he has long honed the bearing and insight he should have.

Quickly regaining his composure, he asked in a deep voice: "This research result reminds me of a security standard called 'Tempest' that is vaguely involved in dealing with customers such as the military and the government. ”

"Yes, it's for the business opportunities it generates." Tang Huan snapped his fingers, "To put it simply, the older the equipment, the more thoroughly it is studied. So, while they're still working very well, it's time to make room for our new products, and the momentum to upgrade will naturally generate orders. ”

John Chambers, who has been working together for many years and has long been tacitly compatible, nodded understandingly, "Then when will this research result be announced to the public?" ”

"Of course, it was immediately published in an authoritative academic journal." Tang Huan, whose eyes were shining, replied slowly.

……

As expected, when the results of this experiment of eavesdropping on the contents of the CRT display by detecting the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the CRT monitor were put in front of the public, the relevant sensitive areas immediately fell into a panic, and the US National Security Agency, which was the first to respond, immediately sent representatives to Cupertino in Silicon Valley to get a glimpse of it.

Various large research institutions, including Bell Labs, are also restless and have called to consult.

Even the BBC on the other side of the Atlantic, with a motivation that is incomprehensible to ordinary people, sent a team to come to the interview in a hurry. (To be continued.) )