AMD Targets Vista with 64-bit, Dual-core Mobile Chip
Staff Reporter -- EDN, May 17, 2006
AMD today introduced its Turion 64 X2 mobile technology, what the company claims is the first and only family of 64-bit dual-core processors designed for thin and light notebook PCs.
With the chips, AMD is targeting 64-bit versions of the upcoming Microsoft Windows Vista operating system. Vista, which will miss this holiday’s shopping season and is now expected to be available in Q1 2007, is seen as a big driver for the next round of PC buying and is expected by many to reinvigorate the market. The MPU maker said it worked closely with Microsoft to identify and develop key hardware components in support the operating system.
"AMD is first to market with the only 64-bit dual-core mobile processor, driving the wave of next-generation mobile platforms that are ready today to run the upcoming 64-bit version of Microsoft Windows Vista," said Chris Cloran, a VP in AMD’s mobile division, in a statement. "This is advanced mobile technology for the office or home, packing dual-core processing for extreme multi-tasking, 64-bit computing, extended battery life and cutting-edge technology from industry leaders in wireless, connectivity and graphics."
Added Mika Krammer, director, Windows Client Mobility Group: "In support of the design of Windows Vista, it is crucial to choose processors that will provide an optimal experience for the various ways in which notebooks are used. The new and powerful AMD Turion 64 dual-core mobile technology is an excellent choice for Windows Vista."
Turion 64 X2 came out of the gate this morning with several big name PC world backers, including Acer, BenQ, Fujitsu, Gateway, HP and NEC. These companies, among others, are expected to have systems with the mobile processor out this quarter.
"AMD dual-core technology will help provide HP consumer and commercial notebook customers the freedom to work and play virtually anytime, anywhere," said Ted Clark, senior VP and general manager for HP’s Notebook Global Business Unit, in the statement. "Our consumer notebooks based on AMD's Turion 64 X2 mobile technology, including the latest HP Pavilion and Compaq Presario models, offer outstanding performance, mobile entertainment and a stylish new look."
Turion 64 X2 mobile technology is based on AMD’s same Direct Connect Architecture in the AMD Opteron and AMD Athlon 64 X2 processors, which providing high-speed links between cores, memory and I/O for increased system performance. Turion 64 X2 also includes multi-core power management; AMD Digital Media Xpress for accelerated image processing, audio and video encoding and decoding, 3D graphic rendering; and AMD Virtualization for virtualized environments.
Continuing with its open platform approach, AMD has collaborated with both ATI Technologies Inc. and Nvidia Corp. for mobile reference designs based on industry-standard technologies.
The company also commenced the next stability period of its Mobile Commercial Stable Image Platform program, providing OEMs a 15-month disk image stability period for improved system manageability. Chipset providers for this program include ATI, Nvidia, Atheros and Broadcom.
Further, AMD said it plans to work with select original design manufacturers (ODM) and the channel ecosystem to deliver a broad portfolio of AMD validated, fully configured whitebooks to small OEMs and through distribution.
The company today also hinted at its mobile future, stating plans to bring 64-bit computing to the Mobile AMD Sempron processor family.
AMD Turion 64 X2 models TL-50, TL-52, TL-56 and TL-60 are available immediately worldwide priced from $184 to $354 in 1K-unit quantities.
