AMD updates notebook processors

By Alun Williams

Posted on 24 Sep 2002 at 12:11

Better mobile multimedia, promises AMD, as it releases the mobile Athlon 2000+ and the mobile Athlon XP 1900+.

AMD is highlighting the extra performance delivered by the new processors for running multimedia apps such as video and image editing and DVD playback.

The clock speeds of the new 2000+ and 1900+ models are 1.67GHz and 1.6GHz respectively. This compares with the mobile Athlon XP 1800+ - which was released in May 2002 - that operates at a frequency of 1.53GHz.

The processors carry traditional Athlon XP features, such as the power management system PowerNow!, the QuantiSpeed optimisations for Windows XP, and the 3DNow! instructions for enhanced multimedia.

'AMD is focused on providing our notebook customers with exceptional mobile PC technology that gives them the freedom to stay connected and work from anywhere - at home, the office or while travelling around the world,' believes Ed Ellett, the VP of AMD's Client Business division.

Expect to see the new mobile 2000+ processor immediately available in notebooks from the likes of HP (Compaq Presario 900 series), Fujitsu Siemens (AMILO A 6600/7600 7600 Series) and Time (Time Traveller range). Packard Bell, it seems, will be offering systems based on the mobile AMD Athlon XP processor 1900+ later this year.

The mobile Athlon XP 2000+ will cost $345 and the mobile 1900+ $239, based on 1,000-unit quantities.

The new processors are compatible with AMD's Socket A infrastructure, and supports the advanced 200MHz and 266MHz AMD Athlon front-side bus options.

Last week Intel released a range of processors for laptops, eleven in all. As well as a 2.2GHz Mobile Pentium 4-M, there were two Mobile Pentium III-M processors (1.33 and 1.26GHz) and three new top of the range Mobile Celeron processors (1.8, 1.7 and 1.6GHz).