New products
Apparently AMD also extended the stability period on Monday from 15 to 18 months. In other words, the motherboards also launched on Monday under the ABC initiative will be available in exactly the same form for the next year and a half.
Probably the most significant of those product launches was the AMD 780V chipset. ‘This is essentially the 780G with all the consumer features removed, thus delivering a “business-class chipset enabling cost effective business platforms.’ said Aziz.
These omissions include hybrid graphics and the universal video decoder.
Asked if this means that the initiative is restricted to AMD chipsets, Aziz said: ‘We’re also launching AMD Business Class platforms with the NVIDIA MCP78 chipset. AMD is all about delivering choice to our customers.’
AMD has also designated a range of processors with a ‘B’, to signify Business Class and guarantee a period of stability and availability.
In summary, ABC is designed to provide the channel with a greater degree of control and stability over its AMD-based offerings, primarily in the business desktop space.
It also gives AMD the opportunity to increase its channel communication and marketing activity – something it clearly needs to do and which we’re sure the whole channel will welcome, if properly executed.