AMD jumps into the netbook fray

From InfoWorld: Advanced Micro Devices is jumping into the mini-notebook space, delivering processors starting in 2009 for small laptops that can run basic applications like Web surfing and e-mail, the company said Thursday.

The processors will be designed to fit in laptops with screens smaller than 10 inches and targeted at users who want secondary laptops, AMD said

However, the processors will be powerful enough to provide more than a basic "Web experience," said Randy Allen, senior vice president of the computing solutions group at AMD, during a speech at the company's financial analyst day in Sunnyvale, Calif. The event was webcast.

AMD's plans are directly targeted at supplanting Intel's dominance in the netbook space, although AMD referred to it as the "mini-notebook" market. Intel's Atom currently is available in most netbooks, like in Asus' Eee PC, with other companies like Via vying for a spot with its Nano processor.

Atom chips can also be found in mobile devices like MIDs (mobile Internet devices). However, it wasn't immediately clear if AMD is entering the mobile device market with its new chips. That market is rife with competition from companies such as Nvidia.

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