AMD won't replace low-power Geode CPUs
updated 05:20 pm EST, Wed January 28, 2009
No Geode replacement: AMD
Computer chipmaker AMD said on Monday it will not be replacing its low-power Geode CPU currently used in devices such as the XO laptop made by the One Laptop Per Child project, UMPCs and set-top boxes, according to a Tuesday report. An AMD spokesperson did reassure those who depend on the current CPU that the company will continue to offer the product as long as there is demand for it.
The Geode LX family is too old to continue its development, believes industry researcher Dean McCarron, and AMD needs to focus its resources on more profitable undertakings. McCarron thinks the chipmaker can downsize its recently-introduced Athlon Neo low-power chips meant for ultrathin laptops to take on the role of the Geode CPU. AMD is downplaying that possibility, however. The Geode LX series chips top out at 600MHz clock speeds and draw between 0.9 and 5W. By comparison, the Athlon Neo uses 15W of energy.
Without a dedicated ultra-low power CPU, AMD may no longer supply chips for the next OLPC laptop, the XO-2, with that job going to either Intel or VIA.
