AMD Introduces 64-Bit Mobile Chip

Sunnyvale, Calif. — Advanced Micro Devices rolled out its AMD Turion 64 mobile microprocessor, a chip it hopes will help the company compete with Intel's Centrino processor.

The Turion utilizes 64-bit processing and is intended for use in ultra-portable notebooks. Companies on the initial partner list, including Acer, Fujitsu Siemens, Packard Bell and Averatec, have indicated they will pick up the chip, but none of the top-tier PC vendors have announced plans to use the new processor in any upcoming models. AMD executives said the first consumer models incorporating the chip will become available later this month. Seven Turion-class processors are included in the initial rollout.

With this launch AMD has revamped its processor naming configuration. All models will now include two letters, such as ML-34, which will represent the model class with the second letter indicating the degree of mobility the chip allows. The “higher” the letter, the better mobile performance is delivered. The numbers reflect the relative performance of the processor.