News - Microsoft and AMD defy perceived slump

[HEXUS]

Further indication that the tech industry is still in good health.

Read more.

[scaryjim]

with Apple's iPad sales so big, there's speculation that the low and mid-range notebook markets - which are the main targets for Fusion - could get extensively eroded by tablets.

Whilst I agree with the general sentiment here - that tablets will erode some of the low-range notebook market - I'm not so sure that's where the APUs real target lies. Surely the point of the Llano APUs - or at least the A6 and A8 released so far - is that they provide discreet-class graphics without the need for an expensive add-on card, so they actually target the mid range market but bring the entry price-point to that market down. I think the A4 APUs will be more in the market space of tablets, and we've yet to see performance or pricing on those so it's hard to say which will impact on the other.

The big problem for AMD is supply and availability: there are very limited C- or E- series powered laptops in stock in the UK, and A-series laptops just don't seem to be available at all. Until they get a genuine global hard launch sorted, they're going to remain little more than a technological nicety...

[Kjnowak]

More importantly... Is that an R2-D2 Xbox???

[Blackmage]

More importantly... Is that an R2-D2 Xbox???

Yep and a C-3PO controller!