Advanced Micro Devices has opened the throttle on its Athlon XP-M processors for notebooks.
The chipmaker has launched three new models, including a new Athlon XP-M 2800+ processor for regular-size notebooks, its highest-performance notebook chip to date.
AMD also introduced two low-voltage processors, the 1900+ and the 2000+, adding to its line of mobile chips for lightweight notebooks. The low-voltage chips are more suitable for the tighter confines of small notebooks because they consume less power--allowing for a smaller battery--and produce less heat, the company has said.
"The addition of these three new mobile AMD processors helps ensure that manufacturers can deliver on-the-go productivity, crisp graphics and extended battery life to their customers," Rich Heye, general manager of AMD's Microprocessor Business Unit, said in a statement.
The company's Athlon XP-M chip family made its debut in March with a dozen chips, including the low-voltage product lines. Mobile chips sell for a premium over desktop chips, providing a revenue boost for chipmakers. The newest Athlon XP-M chips also help AMD defend against rival Intel's Pentium M, which was also launched in March.
Although no Australian PC vendors have comitted to the new chip as yet, Fujitsu PC has indicated that it will sell notebooks featuring the processor in the US under its LifeBook branding. Another company expected to adopt the new AMD chips is Britain's Time Computers, which plans to offer the Athlon XP-M 2800+, AMD said.
AMD's list price for the new Athlon XP-M 2800+ is US$230, a US$50 premium over the Athlon XP 2800+ for desktop PCs. The Athlon XP-M 2000+ lists for US$134, and the 1900+ processor lists for US$123. The chipmaker's list prices reflect processors purchased in 1,000-unit lots. Street prices for AMD's chips usually vary from its list prices.
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