AMD Updates Fusion APUs for Notebooks: Better Low-Cost Laptops Coming Soon

This morning, AMD unveiled its latest update to the award-winning C- and E-Series Accelerated Processing Units (APUs) for ultrathin and value notebooks, netbooks, all-in-ones and desktop PCs with improved features.

For those of our readers who aren't already familiar with APU technology, these chips are essentially a traditional central processing unit (CPU) combined with a graphics processing unit (GPU) on a single processor die. By combining the serial processing power of a CPU and the parallel processing power of a GPU onto a single piece of silicon, you get faster performance (particularly with video and gaming) as well as less power consumption packed into a fraction of the space needed for a standard CPU and stand-alone GPU.

The new E-450 APU replaces the E-350 at the top of the E-series family and the new E-300 replaces the E-240 while the new C-60 replaces the C-50. All updated APUs deliver;

• DDR3 1333 support for enhanced memory bandwidth and faster performance and video playback;
• HDMI 1.4a connections allow for viewing 3D pictures and home video on 3D-enabled TVs and displays;
• DisplayPort ++ for connecting to any HDMI or DisplayPort-enabled monitor or TV;
• 12 hours of resting battery life on a single charge for the mobile platform – a nearly four hour increase over previous platforms (as claimed by AMD).

Notebooks, netbooks, small form factor and all-in-one desktops based on these new APUs are available from leading manufacturers starting today.

AMD has shipped more than 12 million APUs, and sold more than five million of the popular C- and E-Series APUs in Q2 2011 alone. These updated AMD C- and E-Series APUs are both a response to demand as well as AMD's attempt to stay ahead of the competition as manufacturers realize the importance of HD video streaming and fluid gaming with DirectX 11-capable graphics, as well as all-day battery life.

Products from leading PC manufacturers based on these new APUs are available starting today and can be identified by the "VISION Technology from AMD" or "HD Internet" stickers located on the product.