Toshiba to add AMD to notebook mix
updated 08:55 am EDT, Tue May 29, 2007
Toshiba AMD Notebooks
Toshiba startled the PC business on Tuesday by revealing that it will use AMD processors in future notebooks. The Japanese firm, which has until now relied exclusively on Intel chips for its portables, has said that it will introduce the CPUs into its systems in part as a bid to drive costs down for itself and for end users: end-users will see systems drop in price as much as $82 compared to Intel models. The move would primarily involve mid-range systems rather than the extremes of budget or high-end models, Toshiba says.
Specifications for the systems haven't been announced, but are likely to include Turion 64 X2 dual-core chips and will cover roughly 20 percent of the company's PCs sold Europe and North America. Updates should begin with key models during the summer.
Toshiba's choice marks another blow for Intel, which lost one of its largest exclusive contracts last year when Dell switched to a blend of AMD and Intel hardware in both its desktops and notebooks. Most top PC makers now use a combination of either chipmaker's technology to reduce prices and keep supply costs low by forcing competition.
