MS, Samsung to promote green PCs

Steve Ballmer, chief executive of Microsoft Corp., and top executives of Samsung Electronics yesterday agreed to promote energy-efficient PCs, which feature both Microsoft`s operating system and Samsung`s memory chips.

The software titan made a one-day stop in Korea, during which he had a series of meetings with executives and government officials as the company seeks to bolster ties with Korean firms following the launch of its new computer operating system Windows 7.

He agreed with Samsung to collaborate in promoting the use of both Microsoft`s Windows 7 operating system and Samsung`s low-power, high-performance 40 nanometer-class DDR3 memory chips to reduce power use and increase battery life in PCs.



Samsung said it plans to replace the operating systems of all of its corporate PCs worldwide with Windows 7 starting from next year. In return, Microsoft looks to help promote Samsung`s DDR3 memory chips to PC makers, a Samsung spokesperson said.

The announcement came after a meeting between Ballmer and Samsung`s top executives: Lee Yoon-woo, Samsung Electronics` chief executive; Lee Jae-yong, executive vice president and heir apparent; and heads of Samsung`s sets and parts divisions.

"Windows 7 was designed as a more environmentally-sound and energy-efficient OS, particularly evident in its managing of memory and when shifting into lower power mode," said Kim James Woo, country manager of Microsoft Korea. He added that "users will enjoy the benefits when Windows 7 and DDR3 are combined."

"There is no doubt that the combination of Windows 7 and 40nm DDR3 in new PCs will make users very happy," said Jun Dong-soo, executive senior vice president of memory marketing at Samsung Electronics. He added, "If you opt for 4GB of memory in a Windows 7-based system, over typical 2GB-based systems used today, you`ll see an increase in performance, while using less power, thanks to the efficiency of Samsung`s 40nm DD3 DRAM."

Ballmer also signed memorandums of understanding with four local media companies to deliver their contents to PCs powered by Windows 7. Under the agreements, customers will be able to enjoy videos offered by the four companies on PCs through a video-on-demand service starting from 2010. The four media firms are iMBC, the Joongang Daily, EBS and CJ O Shopping.

"This is the first of these kinds of announcements I have made with our contents partners anywhere in the world," Ballmer said at a news conference.

"It is particularly exciting given how advanced Korea is in its adoption and use of broadband infrastructure. There is no better place in the world to really be pioneering the new future of internet content and media than in Seoul," he said.

Ballmer also met chief technology officers of Korean companies and promoted the cost-efficiency of Microsoft products.

When asked about how to compete with Google, Ballmer said, "People say we will be competing with Goolge in the enterprise market, but not yet. They are not ready."

"We really focus and understand enterprise and business productivity, and enterprise deployment. Google may learn, but they haven`t learned yet," he added.

Ballmer also met Knowledge Minister Choi Kyung-hwan and discussed ways to enhance cooperation with Korea`s IT industry.

(hjjin@heraldm.com)









By Jin Hyun-joo