Thursday, November 12, 2009

AMD To Introduce New Chips In Early 2010

Mercury News

Advanced Micro Devices, aiming to leapfrog Intel in computer-processor technology, will release sample versions of new products next year.

The company will provide test versions of its Bulldozer and Bobcat chips to manufacturers of computers early in 2010, Senior Vice President Rick Bergman said Wednesday in a presentation at AMD headquarters in Sunnyvale. That should give customers enough time to prepare for product releases at the end of the year, he said.

AMD is developing so-called Fusion products — a combination of processor and graphics chips — in an effort to create something that Intel can't match. AMD has fallen behind its rival in bringing out new technology, contributing to 12 straight quarterly losses. Intel had an 82 percent share of the market for personal-computer processors at the end of the third quarter, according to Mercury Research in Cave Creek, Ariz. AMD had 18 percent.

"We're going to deliver these solutions out there, and we're going to win," Bergman said.

AMD shares rose 18 cents, or 3.5 percent, to $5.32 Wednesday. The stock has more than doubled this year.

Chief Financial Officer Thomas Seifert said his top priority is to reduce the company's $3.67 billion of bond debt, which comes due for repayment in 2012 and 2015. Seifert, a former Qimonda executive who joined AMD in October, said raising money using stock is not attractive, though other options will develop as the market improves.