Is the '486's bark bigger than its byte? (Intel's mighty processor)

Is the '486's Bark Bigger Than Its Byte?

It's been nearly a year since personal computers built around Intel's speedy 80486 microprocessor hit the streets. But '486-based machines have generated more fanfare than sales thus far, and the chip's role in business computing remains unclear.

Sales of '486 systems have been slow, partly because there is still not much product on dealers' shelves. Early bugs with the '486 delayed a full rollout, and the chip has been in short supply for most of its inaugural year. But demand for the '486 may also be in short supply, say some analysts. They cite the high cost of '486 computers and question whether an individual currently needs that much power on his or her desktop.

"The '486 is still very expensive, and it's just plain overkill in many instances," says Robert Charlton, an…