AMD officially announces 'Puma' notebook platform
AMD has officially taken the plastic-wrap off of its new high-performance notebook platform, formerly known as “Puma”. The platform consists of the new AMD Turion X2 Ultra Dual-Core Mobile Processor and graphics powered by ATI Radeon HD 3000 Series chips, along with 802.11n and 3G wireless connections. We’ll see notebooks outfitted with the new platform from Acer, Asus, Fujitsu, HP, MSI, and Toshiba.
The new Turion processors that’ll be found in these notebooks will feature “AMD Independent Dynamic Core Technology, a new mobile-optimized memory controller, and power-optimized HyperTransport 3.0,” which should help out with stuff like high-definition video content and better battery life.
Full press release from AMD…
AMD Delivers the Ultimate HD Visual Performance on the Go with Next-Generation Notebook Platform
— Balanced notebook platform achieves superior 3D performance and HD-image quality with increased energy efficiency —
COMPUTEX, TAIPEI, Taiwan — June 4, 2008 —AMD (NYSE: AMD) today announced the availability of its next-generation notebook platform, delivering the ultimate HD visual performance and increased energy efficiency on the go. The platform features new AMD Turion
This next-generation AMD notebook platform also serves as the foundation for new AMD Business Class, AMD GAME! and AMD LIVE!
“AMD is uniquely positioned to deliver balanced platform solutions that tightly couple computing and graphics capabilities for a visually rich user experience,” said Dirk Meyer, president and COO, AMD. “Our next-generation AMD notebook platform contains a host of interrelated innovations that together deliver enhanced business productivity and the ultimate in HD visual performance on the go.”
Capitalizing on a Historic Market Shift
Consumers are now using their notebooks for more than just productivity, but also entertainment, such as enjoying and manipulating photos, watching videos and listening to music. Likewise, businesses are adopting Microsoft® Windows Vista® as well as applications that are more graphically intensive. Therefore, a notebook with robust graphics and video capabilities is essential to unlock the best possible experience.
“With the advent of Microsoft Windows Vista, its new graphics and multimedia features, as well as the applications that will be tailored to this operating system, discrete graphics have become a much more important part of the purchase decision,” said Bob O’Donnell, Program Vice President, IDC. “With the transition from desktops to laptops, consumers and business professionals are not only seeking the portability and connectivity provided by notebook PCs, they are also unwilling to compromise on the features and performance needed to drive the latest generation operating systems and applications. This next generation of notebooks must deliver the graphics and video capabilities to address this requirement.”
Superior technologies working together
As a part of the new platform, AMD today also announced a new notebook processor and chipset, which together deliver the ultimate in HD visual performance on the go. The AMD Turion X2 Ultra Dual-Core Mobile processor includes top enhancements including AMD Independent Dynamic Core Technology, a new mobile-optimized memory controller, and power-optimized HyperTransport
Complementing the video capabilities to deliver a rich visual experience, the platform also offers the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3000 series discrete graphics, including the previously announced ATI Mobility Radeon 3400 and 3600 Series, and the new ATI Mobility Radeon
“Windows Vista enhances the overall performance and productivity of the personal computer, offers rich visual experiences and makes the digital lifestyle easier, safer, more entertaining and better connected than ever before,” said Steven Guggenheimer, corporate vice president of the OEM division at Microsoft. “The next-generation AMD notebook platform provides optimized technologies that will provide an even richer visual experience for customers running Windows Vista and other graphically demanding applications.”
Cutting-edge wireless connectivity, enhanced power efficiency
The next-generation AMD notebook platform also incorporates the latest in wireless connectivity technologies like 802.11 draft n and 3G from leading Better by Design technology partners including Atheros, Broadcom, and Ralink. These technologies provide superior range, faster data transfer and allow users to stay connected on the go.
“AMD and Broadcom are technology partners in the Better by Design program and share a common goal of helping our mutual customers create innovative, high-performance notebooks that deliver exceptional user experiences,” said Thomas Lagatta, senior vice president, Global Sales, Broadcom Corporation. “The combination of our industry-leading Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and network interface controller solutions and the next-generation AMD Turion X2 Ultra Mobile Processor platform provides notebook users with a variety of ways to stay connected to the people and information that matter to them.”
The next-generation AMD notebook platform also incorporates innovative power management technologies, including AMD Enhanced PowerNow!
“We offer a wide range of price and performance options on our HP Pavilion notebook computers, while at the same time featuring multiple system configurations for users to choose from in order to meet their needs,” said Kevin Frost, vice president and general manager, consumer notebooks, PSG. “HP welcomes the introduction of the AMD Turion X2 Ultra processor- based platform as it will add even greater visual performance, multimedia and power-efficient choices for customers.”