AMD takes on Intel's ultrabooks by lowering prices further

[jordiqui]

Chipmaker AMD is planning to launch cheaper ultrabook components than its biggest competitor, Intel.

Intel is already set to launch its ultrabook generation with the Ivy Bridge platform. It's their big bet: the giant wants the devices to be priced between $700 and $999. It's a good strategy: currently most ultrabooks are priced between $999 and $1,200.

But the Sunnyvale-based company AMD wants to make a splash and is already weaving another plan: they want their Ultrathin devices carrying components manufactured by them to be priced around 10% to 20% lower than Intel's ultrabooks.

This would represent a significant shift in AMD's strategy; it means betting on affordable devices (albeit without any innovative functional contribution) that can reach the general public. In this sense, some sellers have already shown their concern about this incipient price war, which could be the beginning of the debacle in ultrabook prices.

AMD unveiled its Trinity APU at CES 2012, the new platform that will replace Llano, with the intention of inserting them into tablets, laptops, and PCs. This generation of APU aims to stand up to Intel in a market (the ultrabook market) that the latter has pushed with special impetus.

It is expected that by this same year (without specifying more dates) there will be around 75 Intel ultrabooks and about 20 AMD models on the market.

source

[kynes]

It seems that a four-threaded Trinity with contained speed (around 1.6 GHz, 2.5 GHz in turbo mode) can dissipate about 17W. Very good processor for low-cost ultrabooks (some forums bet on the 500€ range) and a much higher performance (it would be conceivable as a gaming rig) than what is customary in that type of equipment at that price.

[Nemo]

I don't know if I understand the concept….
AMDs are 20% cheaper than Intels....the only thing missing is that they had the same price with their inferior performance.

Best regards

[Bm4n]

These APUs have the advantage of having better graphics than Intel, almost certainly, although the Ivy will have new integrated and DX11… but let's face it, we already know that's not their thing. The fact that they are cheaper is key because Intel performs very well, consumes very well but are expensive, so that's what's left for them to compete.

[kynes]

Intel's problem is one: Graphics drivers.