[cpeterso]

> Google had a I/A release cycle where every other hardware platform cycled between Intel and AMD.

Was the I/A cycle intended just to keep Intel and AMD on their toes, knowing that Google's data centers and software seamlessly supported both platforms? Was there any technical benefit, other than ensuring Google's software was portable?

[liquidgecka]

There was a delivery benefit. At the time we were one of the largest server manufactures by volume. Generally we were on the same scale as Dell or HP. Buying from only a single vendor had serious cost implications sure, but there was also a pure volume issues. If Intel can't get us 50k of a given chip fast enough we can fill capacity needs with an AMD platform instead. That was the goal at least.