AMD: Homewrecker to Dell-Intel Marriage?

While some partnerships are built on romance, others have the clockwork tick of a marriage made in Zurich--or Santa Clara. The Dell-Intel strategic partnership has served both well, and neither partner will be in a hurry to stray too far. But Dell is clearly checking out its options, just in case. Intel must tune up its own chip lineup-- and do some heavy courting--if it doesn't want to risk Dell's roaming eye. Meanwhile, Intel had better pay close attention to its partner's moods and recognize that in any successful long-term relationship, it all comes down to the willingness to negotiate.