AMD gives smartphones the cold shoulder, plans netbook

published 14 November 2008

AMD is not interested in developing processors for smartphones it has revealed at a financial analyst meeting, according to a report at EE Times.

Randy Allen, general manager of AMD's computing solutions group said: "We don't expect the MID (Mobile Internet Device) market to become meaningful relative to other opportunities we can address," along with, "of all the opportunities we could go after, we have eliminated microprocessors for smart phones."

However, AMD will deliver processers for ultra-portable and mini-notebook computers that deliver what Allen refereed to as a, "full PC experience".

He revealed dual-core processors for this segment, a 65nm part codenamed Conesus, scheduled 2009 featuring two cores, 1MB of cache and a DDR2 memory controller and a sub 25W TDP. This will be followed by 45nm part called Geneva in 2010 and Ontario (32nm) in 2011.

This comes as analysts Barclays Capital predict that that Intel's Atom processor, designed for low cost netbooks, will be the only PC processor segment to display shipment growth in 2009.

According to AMD president Dirk Meyer, AMD will focus on areas where it can be sure it can turn a profit. "We have collectively had enough of losing money and we want to hear the cash registers ring," he said.

The company recently spun off its manufacturing division in an effort to reduce costs and reduced its head count by 500.

Yesterday, it released its 45nm Shanghai' Opteron chipsfor servers.

Benny Har-Even is a twenty-year stalwart of technology journalism who is passionate about all areas of the industry, but telecoms and mobile and home entertainment are among his chief interests. He has written for many of the leading tech publications in the UK, such as PC Pro and Wired, and previously held the position of technology editor at ITPro before regularly contributing as a freelancer.

Known affectionately as a ‘geek’ to his friends, his passion has seen him land opportunities to speak about technology on BBC television broadcasts, as well as a number of speaking engagements at industry events.