With Puma, AMD Enters In A New Mobile Era
At Computex, AMD unveiled its next-generation notebook platform, which is based on the concept that the customers are increasingly using their notebooks not only for business, but also for entertainment.

The new platform, codenamed Puma, features new AMD Turion X2 Ultra Dual-Core Mobile Processors with ATI Radeon HD 3000 Series Graphics.

The AMD Turion X2 Ultra Dual-Core Mobile processor includes enhancements such as AMD Independent Dynamic Core Technology, a new mobile-optimized memory controller, and power-optimized HyperTransport 3.0.

The new mobile AMD 7-series chipset, AMD M780G and AMD SB700, features integrated ATI Radeon HD 3200 Graphics and delivers support for Microsoft DirectX 10. AMD claims that the integrated graphics deliver up to three times the 3D graphics performance of comparable competitor graphics and offer ATI Avivo HD Technology for smooth video playback in hi-def format.

Complementing the video capabilities to deliver a rich visual experience, the platform also offers the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3000 series discrete graphics, including the previously announced ATI Mobility Radeon 3400 and 3600 Series, and the new ATI Mobility Radeon 3800 Series.

The next-generation AMD notebook platform also incorporates the latest in wireless connectivity technologies like 802.11 draft n and 3G from leading Better by Design technology partners including Atheros, Broadcom, and Ralink. These technologies provide superior range, faster data transfer and allow users to stay connected on the go.

Last month the chip-maker announce AMD Game!, a program conceived to help consumers select perfectly suited PCs for high-definition gaming. Besides AMD Turion Ultra processors and ATI Radeon HD 3000 series graphics, AMD Game! includes also AMD Phenom processors and AMD Athlon processors.

Late last month Intel has announced its decision to delay the launch of its future Centrino 2 chipset to July 14, due to a series of technical issues and some certifications problems.

Intel claims Centrino 2 will deliver better performance than any previous product, as well as provide a longer battery life, all in a smaller package, which makes them ideal for mini-notebooks, and it will offer support for WiMax.