AMD Launches New Athlon 64

Further pitting itself against Intel's Pentium M offerings, Advanced Micro Devices this week expanded its lineup of mobile Athlon 64-bit processors.

The new Mobile AMD Athlon 64 processor 3000+ operates at 2 GHz and is meant for use in thin-and-light notebook computers.

It is the highest performing processor in AMD's family of low-power Mobile AMD Athlon 64 products, which already includes 2700+ and 2800+ versions, according to the AMD Web site.

Product Plans

Acer is the first computer maker to announce support for the new AMD processor. Acer plans to start selling a notebook in its Ferrari line equipped with the Mobile AMD Athlon 64 processor 3000+ in Europe later this month and worldwide by the end of October, according to AMD.

Wholesale pricing for the new 3000+ processor is $241 when bought in 1000-unit quantities. The 2800+ product costs $209 and the 2700+ product is priced at $178, also when bought in 1000-unit quantities, according to AMD.

AMD offers three Athlon 64-bit processor types for mobile use.

The low-power version of the Mobile Athlon 64 is meant for use in thin-and-light notebooks, the mainstream Mobile Athlon 64 offers higher performance for use in full-size notebooks, and the Desktop Replacement AMD Athlon 64 processors are the highest performing processors for powerful notebooks.