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AMD Working on Stickers That Peel More Easily

by - source: Tom's Hardware US

Hate all those gaudy stickers that come stuck on your PC? AMD wants to be friendlier to sticker peelers starting next year.

Anyone who has purchased a PC will know that the thing comes with a rash of branding stickers that convey what's inside – even if it's software-based.

We're used to seeing the Intel Inside sticker, and of course the one for Windows, but now things may be getting out of hand when some machines are labeled "Skype Ready".

What's worse is that these stickers are often hard to remove, and can either tear or leave a residue that requires a cleaning job just to get the gunk off.

The reasoning behind the stickers is that companies pay the manufacturer for the 'ad space' of placing a sticker right on the palm rest of a laptop.

AMD knows that computer logo stickers are getting out of hand, and for that reason has consolidated many of its logos into the Vision branding program. Right now, in fact, AMD's logo stickers are optional and vendors that choose not to use the sticker are not penalized in terms of marketing dollars.

Fewer logos is a good first step, but AMD is taking it to the next level. In 2011, AMD will switch to stickers that peel off easily without leaving any sort of residue.

(Source: New York Times.)

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atk0309 09/07/2010 4:09 PM
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-20+

Amd is doing quite a few nice things these days.
Hardware-wise they are becoming more and more powerful. And it seems that they are even finding time to to go the extra mile for its customers doing these and that small things to improve our experience.
Me likey!

jasonb 09/07/2010 4:12 PM
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In an unrelated story, 3M is reportedly suing AMD for patent infringement on its post-it glue.

angelo621 09/07/2010 4:16 PM
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i really like amd is for small and simple that can help their consumers.
but i would like to see more big changes most likly on software side like drivers.

processthis 09/07/2010 4:17 PM
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That's pretty thoughtful of AMD.

tobyevers 09/07/2010 4:20 PM
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But i like my invulnerable case stickers...

asiaprime 09/07/2010 4:22 PM
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REYNOD 09/07/2010 4:30 PM
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tntom 09/07/2010 4:33 PM
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That settles it. My next laptop will be AMD for sure. In my book this gets AMD more positive PR than the stickers themselves. Intel pretty much started this. Though they are probably not the worst offenders. Intel's marketing is so aggressive they would have the customer marked with a branding iron, and penalize you if covered it with your sleeve.

hellwig 09/07/2010 4:44 PM
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-12+

The laptop I'm using right now has "designed for Windows XP" and "Pentium M" slapped on it. I think its in the best interest of these companies that the stickers be more easily removed. I really don't think Intel wants people to remember the Pentium 4/D/M. And designed for Windows XP? What does that even mean? I think it just refers to the windows key on the keyboard, cause I'm not sure it could mean anything else.

adonn78 09/07/2010 4:46 PM
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-7+

I too hate those stickers. They ugly up a computer case.

digitalrazoe 09/07/2010 5:08 PM
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:AD SPACE: when I buy a computer then that means they should pay me after purchase. I got your :AD SPACE: thanks AMD for the effort and forward thinking in the removal of such advertising after the computer has been purchased.

Assmar 09/07/2010 5:12 PM
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They are the little things that I know show AMD's true love for me. I hear Nvidia is a domestic abuser.

C 64 09/07/2010 5:13 PM
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As much as I hate those stickers.... could you at AMD invest more R&D time to make your mobile processors more competitive not only in price, but also considering raw computing power. (Hint: You are doing a good job in graphic department so...)

thechief73 09/07/2010 5:15 PM
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+1 for AMD this kind of thinking is what comsumers need, a company that actually considers the REAL needs and wants of the customer and NOT the ones thier accounting & marketing department.

g00fysmiley 09/07/2010 5:16 PM
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but they really aren't hard to remove as it is, on my laptop had a windows xp /vista compatable sticker, an ati sticker and a intel sticker all peeled off easy enough with a razorblade and cleaned residue with a bit of googone on a rag ... pretty painless as it is but kudos if it gets rid of need for the googone

asus x48 09/07/2010 5:16 PM
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-4+

Thank you AMD for seeing the light.

arlandi 09/07/2010 5:17 PM
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-2+

Finally!
i hate removing those stickers so much, i keep them on until they eventually got rub off.

DaveWesh 09/07/2010 5:18 PM
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Q-Tip and Nail polish remover, or a dab of something like gasoline, and it will make quick work of any residue left by the stickers or any thing with a sticky material. *friend tried fixing a gas leak on his dirtbike once upon a time with duct tape XD*

dark_lord69 09/07/2010 5:21 PM
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In some cases I am proud to have those stickers by many times I just want them gone and yes, they are very hard to peel off.

zerapio 09/07/2010 5:29 PM
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digitalrazoe :
:AD SPACE: when I buy a computer then that means they should pay me after purchase. I got your :AD SPACE: thanks AMD for the effort and forward thinking in the removal of such advertising after the computer has been purchased.


They did, you just don't see it in the bill but that's how a $520 computer sells for $500.

overclockingrocks 09/07/2010 5:31 PM
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only stickers that drive me nuts on a laptop more than anything are those huge ones that have the full system specs and model number right on the palm rest. Seriously I already know what specs are in the computer by researching it before I bought it. do I really need a sticker 6+ months after purchase telling me what processor I have and that my laptop has HDMI. The little small AMD Vision stickers along with the Windows 7 and Dolby stickers on my Gateway are tasteful and go with the whole overall look of the machine. The big ugly silver sticker on the other side of the touchpad however does not. Thanks AMD for this great thought. Here's hoping more vendors follow this.sticker up one machine for the in store demo leave the rest relatively unadorned please

prince_david 09/07/2010 5:34 PM
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Please these stickers are so unnecessary!

IWC Member 23495867 09/07/2010 5:41 PM
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Not bad.

coleipoo 09/07/2010 5:45 PM
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I thought this was an Onion article at first, then I saw it was serious. That's good and all, but is it really necessary to have a press release about it?

tipoo 09/07/2010 5:57 PM
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THANK YOU!

tsnorquist 09/07/2010 6:09 PM
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How about not putting stickers on in the first place? Maybe a slide in advertisement or desktop icon pointing to AMD's site.

At least make them scratch and sniff =)

Stifle 09/07/2010 6:22 PM
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Are electronic component stickers on computers akin to racing component stickers on vehicles? Are they are worn to show what is going on inside, to reflect the kind of decisions that I made when putting the computer together?
Reflecting a little bit here... maybe the stickers are more like branding on clothing, possibly worn to show status, how much you spend, etc...

Maybe there is no difference... maybe its all about building up an identity for yourself that hinges upon the purchases you make.

Obligatory/Relevant link: The new "Apple Friend Bar"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9ZnwvyAk8k

greghome 09/07/2010 6:24 PM
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Pretty Sad we wont see this for ATI, since the brand is gone

megamanx00 09/07/2010 6:27 PM
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Yay!

coldmast 09/07/2010 6:28 PM
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BLOW DRYER. nuff said.

Snipergod87 09/07/2010 6:30 PM
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I like my stickers it shows off whats inside...


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