AMD Releases CPU Roadmap; Cheap Ultra Slim Laptops rather than Netbooks?

AMD released its CPU roadmap and its approach within 2008 up to 2011 at analyst meeting on past Thursday. AMD addressed many details about its upcoming CPU platforms and their time frames. 2009 and 2010 are filled up with 45nm technology-based processors and 2011 is the year of 32nm processors.

AMD is releasing 6 platforms for 6 computer categories available in the market including budget ultraportable laptops (instead of Netbooks), mainstream notebooks, business desktop computers, consumer desktop computers, high-end Home Theater PCs and powerhouse Enthusiast desktop computers.

2009 and 2010:

1-AMD is going to release Yukon platform for budget ultra portable laptops. Also, the company is releasing 45 nm technology-based “Conesus” dual-core processors featuring 1MB of Cache. In 2010, upcoming 45 nm “Geneva” dual-core CPU with DDR3 support will be the successor of Conesus.

Here, there was a misunderstanding happened about the AMD’s opinion about Netbooks and spread in web by media widely. Cnet has explained very well that AMD told with details in the meeting that why AMD doesn’t like Netbooks for low-power processors lackluster graphics, small screens, and tiny keyboards. Instead AMD is encouraging the laptop makers to make ultra slim laptops like MacBook Air but with budget design targeting the price range of $500-$700.

For this aim, AMD is releasing dual-core Conesus CPU, which will utilize ATI's RS780M graphics to deliver better graphics and better overall performance than what Netbooks do with their Atom CPU or VIA C7 CPU and their integrated graphics.

2- AMD is going to release Tigris platform for mainstream notebooks in the second half of 2009. It Also is launching 45nm “Caspian” dual-core processor featuring 2MB of cache. In 2010, 45nm “Champlain” quad-core processor featuring 2MB of catch with DDR-3 memory support will be the successor of Caspian.

3- In the first quarter of 2009, the Enthusiast Desktop category (ultimate HD media and professional gaming computers) will utilize Dragon platform and 45nm upcoming “Deneb” processor featuring a four core chip and 8 Mbytes of cache with either DDR-2 or DDR-3 support.

4- AMD is launching Maui platform for The Home theater PC category before 2008 finishes.

5- In the second Half of 2009, AMD is releasing a new platform called “Kodiak” for business desktop computer category and “Pisces” platform for consumer desktop category.

Mainstream desktop computers will utilize the upcoming 45nm "Propos," processor in 2009. The processor features a quad-core chip with 2 Mbytes of cache, and support for DDR-2 or DDR-3 memory.

2011:

6- Now the important query is that what has happened to the 45nm Fusion processor which AMD was supposed to release it in 2010? As you know Fusion processor was supposed to be a combination of a CPU and GPU under one hood in the “Shrike” core.

TG Daily reported:

The chip, which was described to combine a CPU and GPU under one hood in the “Shrike” core, was found to only bring modest improvements over today’s platforms in terms of power efficiency, cost and performance. Instead, the company will introduce Fusion (which actually isn’t called Fusion anymore) as a 2011 model in a 32 nm version with llano core. Allen said that 32 nm would be the right technology to introduce the product. Llano will feature four cores, 4 MB of cache, DDR3 memory support and an integrated GPU.

So, as you see that AMD has removed the Fusion processor from the roadmap and instead it is going to produced 32nm technology based processors for laptops and desktop computers.

For laptops, AMD will use 32nm “Ontario” processors which is combination of dual core chip, A GPU, 1MB cache, and DDR3 support.

AMD will use “Orochi” processor featuring at least four cores, 8MB cache, with DDR3 support for the high end Enthusiast desktop category. For rest of desktop computer categories AMD will offer “LIano” processor featuring a four-core chip plus a GPU, 4-Mbyte L3 cache with support for DDR-3 memory.

Netbooks are really necessary these days to the consumers. I am sure that in 2009 or in 2010, most people will feel the need to have a budget ultra portable laptop just the way they feel the need to have a desktop PC. Netbooks are necessary and some people feel the need for them strongly. The way AMD is talking about the budget ultra slim laptops (Mac Air Style) feels the gap between netbooks and standards laptops.

Sources: TG Daily, extremetech, Cnet