Could silicon trash be a treasure?

Those faulty Pentium processors that Intel throws away every day, might find some good use after all, researchers at the University of Southern California suggest.

When a computer generates an image on a computer screen, the user won't notice a few miscalculations. As long as it involves output to humans, computing cycles can afford the occasional flaw.

The use of faulty computer chips forms an enormous economic opportunity because it increases the yield of the chip making process.

The problem is however that we get on slippery road of having to determine where to draw the line between acceptable and unacceptable mistakes. An of course some day, somebody is cross that line. A computer is going to screw up your credit card payment and all hell breaks loose.

That's the exact reason why I choose to stay clear of refurbished products today.