Chapter 484

Although unwilling to admit it, as far as Dongling Gao Ke's self-developed computers go, it would already be quite good if the first computer launched could have a self-developed chip. As for replacing chips from Intel, AMD, IBM, and others, that would be somewhat wishful thinking.

If Dongling Gao Ke could launch its first computer, it is estimated that it could achieve self-development and domestic production for chips, hard drives, motherboards, computer screens, keyboards, mice, headphones, and cases. As for graphics cards, RAM sticks, sound cards, and network cards, they would likely still need to be purchased from abroad.

In other words, for Dongling Gao Ke's first computer, if they could achieve about 30% to 40% self-development and self-production of components by pooling all of Dongling Gao Ke's strength, that would already be the absolute limit.

But the self-developed products would still have a significant gap compared to Intel and AMD chips and Sharp screens.

If they were to bite the bullet and compete with Lianxiang, which is supported by companies like Intel, they would likely fall into the opponent's rhythm. Once they lost their composure, they would be suppressed and beaten by the opponent.

Right now in the computer industry, no matter what moves Lianxiang makes, Dongling Gao Ke must hold its ground and not be dragged into fields where it is not proficient to be consumed!

As for Intel and other companies supporting Lianxiang, it is likely that on one hand, they have obtained agreements from Lianxiang that are favorable to themselves.

On the other hand, companies like Intel are also taking the opportunity to flex their muscles, telling domestic computer manufacturers that whichever computer manufacturer they want to support, that manufacturer will survive!

If you want to sell computers well, you have to beg Intel to supply high-end chips in order to launch high-end computers!

As long as they pull off such stunts a few more times, all the computer manufacturers will know who the true "big daddy" of the computer industry is and understand what the rules of the game in the computer industry are!

After Su Chicheng left, Li Dongling let out a breath and turned to walk toward the bathroom, preparing to rinse off; he still had to meet Feng Jun, who was rushing over from the provincial capital, today.

"What is the reaction in the computer industry now?"

Like many foreigners who have come to the country, Jim Garrett, President of Intel's Mainland Region, who also gave himself the Chinese name Jian Ruijie, asked his partner, Chen Weidi, who was also Intel Mainland's Chief Operating Officer and General Manager.

Now, foreign manufacturers coming to the mainland all like this combination of Chinese and foreign staff, sending a headquarters staffer to serve as president and pairing them with a person from Singapore, Baodao, or Gangcheng to serve as general manager. There are also those who choose mainland personnel as general managers, but they are relatively few.

Currently, foreign companies like IBM, Siemens, Motorola, and Nokia have not yet fully recognized the capabilities of mainland professional managers, or perhaps they fear that mainland professional managers will become too powerful locally, so they still prefer to find people from Singapore, Gangcheng, and other places to serve as general managers in the country, believing that professional managers from these places "understand" the domestic market better.

"Most mainland computer manufacturers, such as Changcheng, Fang Zheng, and Tongfang, are still in a wait-and-see mode!"

Chen Weidi, who is of Singaporean origin and also Chinese, naturally understands the mainland quite well. Since he took over Intel's sales business in the country, including Southeast Asia, over the past few years, almost all major domestic computer manufacturers have used Intel chips.

The cooperation between Chen Weidi and Jim Garrett is considered quite good. Although Jim Garrett also has that slight arrogance of an American coming to the country, his ability is quite good, and he hasn't caused any major trouble.

Looking at Jim Garrett, Chen Weidi couldn't help but ask about the doubts in his heart, "Why choose Lianxiang? It has just experienced a storm. Even the municipal departments that have always supported it are, because of the public opinion storm, unsure whether they will continue to support it in the future!"

"On the contrary, Fang Zheng's popularity and influence are no weaker than Lianxiang's. If Intel were to support Fang Zheng at this time, the effect would actually be much better!"

"There is an old saying in China: it is difficult to provide charcoal in snowy weather, but easy to add flowers to brocade!"

Jim Garrett said with a smile, "Supporting computer companies like Fang Zheng, Tongfang, and Changcheng is indeed less risky than supporting Lianxiang, but..."

"If Intel wants to become the savior of the domestic computer industry, it must support Lianxiang. Only in this way will Fang Zheng, Tongfang, and those big and small computer manufacturers know who to choose, and they will understand who can save them!"

Listening to Jim Garrett's words, Chen Weidi was silent for a moment. Indeed, it seems Intel's choice this time is somewhat untimely, but with his public relations experience, he knows that sometimes, one cannot judge victory or defeat by simple short-term gains and losses.

"As long as Lianxiang doesn't fall this time and the newly released computers can still sell, wouldn't this deal for Intel be profitable?" Jim Garrett revealed the smile of an old fox.

Chen Weidi recalled the conditions discussed with Intel when Boss Liu came over. Honestly, Intel also opened its mouth like a lion, proposing that using Intel chips would require paying a high revenue share. Chen Weidi himself didn't expect Lianxiang to dare to agree.

But Boss Liu, who was clearly desperate, stubbornly agreed, which also allowed Intel to go along with the tide and agree to support Lianxiang.

For Intel, supplying Lianxiang with the latest chips carries little risk even if it fails. But if it wins, it sets a precedent for domestic computer manufacturers. In the future, if they want to cooperate with Intel, they will have to follow the model of Intel and Lianxiang's cooperation: sell a computer, and you have to pay Intel a large amount of revenue!

"There is another reason: I don't like Dongling Gao Ke and its founder!"

Jim Garrett's face darkened. Having attended West Point, his sense of smell for "danger" was much sharper.

Jim Garrett didn't believe at all that Dongling Gao Ke was Intel's rival, but he just didn't like Dongling Gao Ke.

It wasn't just Dongling Gao Ke's "overestimating its own strength" by establishing Dongxin Semiconductor and engaging in self-developed chips; it was also that after learning about Dongling Gao Ke's history and this lawsuit, Jim Garrett clearly felt that Dongling Gao Ke and domestic companies like Lianxiang were two completely different types of existences.

In other words, Jim Garrett couldn't quite figure out Dongling Gao Ke's methods, or even its trump cards. His career at West Point made Jim Garrett understand that going to war with an enemy you can't fathom, and whose trump cards you don't even know, carries too many risks and surprises.

He didn't like that feeling of being unable to control things, especially since coming to the mainland from America, the people he met all treated him with great respect and dared not defy his will; the discomfort brought to him by Dongling Gao Ke was even more obvious.

"Jim, are you worried that Dongxin Semiconductor under Dongling Gao Ke will become Intel's rival?!" Chen Weidi asked.

"Pfft!"

Jim Garrett couldn't help but laugh, then explained, "Sorry, I don't mean to belittle any opponent. Every opponent is worthy of respect. The most important thing I learned at West Point is not to belittle any opponent; otherwise, you might pay a painful price for it!"

"I didn't mean to belittle that... Dongxin Semiconductor, which produces phone chips," Jim Garrett thought for a moment, remembering the name Dongxin Semiconductor, "but objectively speaking, within twenty years—no, ten years—it is very difficult for Dongxin Semiconductor to pose a threat to Intel."

"Especially in the second half of this year, the American Capitol will introduce the agreement signed in Wassenaar last year..."

Halfway through, Jim Garrett suddenly stopped. It is no secret that America wants to push the Wassenaar Agreement. As an Intel executive, he had heard insider rumors within Intel long ago, but since it hadn't been officially announced yet, he didn't want to reveal too much to avoid causing a stir. He always maintained a degree of vigilance toward Chen Weidi and the other Chinese managers.

"In short, Dongxin Semiconductor may face significant trouble next. Let's talk about competing with Intel after it has the ability to overcome these difficulties!"

Jim Garrett said, "What I care about is not how strong Dongxin Semiconductor's technology is, but that Dongling Gao Ke is breaking the rules!"

"What Dongxin Semiconductor is doing now is more like an unrealistic act of wasting resources, capital, manpower, and material, but it also makes many people have unrealistic fantasies!"

Jim Garrett didn't say it explicitly, but Chen Weidi understood the meaning. What Jim Garrett was dissatisfied with was that Dongxin Semiconductor was disrupting the chip order that Intel was trying to establish in the country!

What is Intel's dream chip order in the mainland? It is that Intel is responsible for R&D and production, while domestic computer manufacturers just need to purchase them. At most, they would let the country become Intel's production base, incorporating the country into Intel's chip empire system.

But what Intel values most is the domestic chip sales market. This system is what Intel looks forward to most, and it is also the mission for which Jim Garrett was sent to the country to serve as president.

Dongxin Semiconductor is indeed not yet Intel's rival, but it is like that uncertain factor; no one knows what it will become in the future. This uncertainty made Jim Garrett, who is accustomed to using what he learned at West Point as his style of conduct, dissatisfied. He views himself as a commander, hopes that everything proceeds according to his plan, and does not like the appearance of thorns and surprises!

"However, these are just small troubles. As long as computers from Lianxiang, Fang Zheng, Tongfang, and Changcheng, which are equipped with Intel chips, can occupy the domestic market, then Dongxin Semiconductor won't be able to make any waves!"

Jim Garrett said strategically. His understanding of Dongxin Semiconductor is that even if it develops computer chips, it will at most just jump around domestically and won't be able to enter the overseas market. As long as Dongxin Semiconductor is suppressed domestically, it can be completely locked down!

Order and standards are what every giant company dreams of establishing. As long as the system is established, one can sit at the top of the pyramid and enjoy the continuous offerings from the entire industry pyramid.

Even if Li Dongling didn't know about Jim Garrett's plan, he understood that from the moment Dongxin Semiconductor started self-developing chips, it would no longer be on the same page as Intel. Therefore, he didn't care much about the targeting from that side; after all, soldiers come to block, water comes to cover!