IBM's new Power4 server processor will offer dual multiprocessing on a single chip, chew data in 64 bits, and spit it out at 2GHz when it debuts next year.

First, it was copper (Who 'da thought?). Now with their new 'low-k dielectric' insulation, IBM engineers promise to speed up all semiconductors by another 30% as circuits shrink to 0.13 microns and smaller.

Previously announced in April, IBM is now starting production of their new silicon-on-insulator (SOI) processors for the server set. Claiming 30% more speed, 1/3 the power consumption, and a two-year technology lead on Intel, SOI and copper combined look like the shape of chips to come.

Expected this fall, IBM plans to boost new G3 PowerPC processors (code-named SideWinder) up to 700MHz.

iBook fans are salivating already.

Despite their demo last week at PC Expo, IBM is still cagey about whether they will actually market a Crusoe-based ThinkPad in the fall.

They are afraid nobody will want an 8-hour notebook?