AMD Ultrathin Notebooks Could be Priced Down to $549

By Douglas Perry
published

AMD is building up its Ultrabook rival in the form of ultrathin notebooks.

A reports suggests that there will be very little crossover in pricing with Ultrabooks and AMD will be going after the mainstream and lower-end of the segment.

According to Digitimes, AMD-based ultrathins will be selling in the MSRP $599 to $899 range, with street prices reaching down to $549. AMD is targeting its upcoming Hondo APU for these notebooks and the majority of systems is aimed to stay well below the $799 to $1,499 price range that is occupied by Intel Ultrabooks.

The article, which quotes John Taylor, director of Global Product Marketing at AMD, has a noteworthy point discussing Windows on ARM systems. While it is reasonable to assume that ARM will capture some market share and especially appeal to those who do not want to spend a lot of money on a computer system, AMD hardware could be squeezed between higher-end and higher-margin Intel products and budget ARM computers. Conceivably, AMD could be more vulnerable to the ARM threat than Intel given its focus on cost-conscious buyers.

However, Taylor said that the entry of ARM provides AMD with an upshot opportunity as "AMD's innovations in R&D of low-voltage processors will provide the company even more chances than ARM."

Douglas Perry
32 Comments Comment from the forums
  • wasabiman321
    If it's better for gaming than an ivy bridge ulv + dedicated gpu at a substantially lower price AND in a nice premium chassis like current ultrabooks then consider me converted to AMD for my mobile gaming needs xD
    Reply
  • DavidC1
    Samsung Series 5 AMD Ultrathin: A6-4455M with 500GB HDD: $599
    Samsung Series 5 Intel Ultrabook: i5-3317U with 500GB HDD and SSD cache: $699

    AMD is lying when they say the price difference is significant, unless they sacrifice on build quality to do it. The SSD cache on the top is responsible for $50 difference and the CPU another $50. When you go with Sandy Bridge i3 like the 2367M it costs $50 less. Likely Ivy Bridge i3 coming later will do the same.
    Reply
  • doron
    wasabiman321If it's better for gaming than an ivy bridge ulv + dedicated gpu at a substantially lower price AND in a nice premium chassis like current ultrabooks then consider me converted to AMD for my mobile gaming needs xD
    This. I would actually consider getting a 17W Trinity and high-res display (over 1080p) for around 700$.

    I would be happy if AMD offered a 17W part that mostly cuts the igp performance to get to that TDP, since I don't want to game on my notebook, and I believe igp performance would still be very good even for >1080p res
    Reply
  • joytech22
    DavidC1Samsung Series 5 AMD Ultrathin: A6-4455M with 500GB HDD: $599Samsung Series 5 Intel Ultrabook: i5-3317U with 500GB HDD and SSD cache: $699AMD is lying when they say the price difference is significant, unless they sacrifice on build quality to do it. The SSD cache on the top is responsible for $50 difference and the CPU another $50. When you go with Sandy Bridge i3 like the 2367M it costs $50 less. Likely Ivy Bridge i3 coming later will do the same.

    Pricing is considerably different around the world.
    For the above systems you mentioned, here they run for $999 and $1199 respectively.

    We have some of the highest priced computer components in the world.. Like the GTX690 for $1600...
    Proof:

    http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=193_1385
    http://arc.com.au/pub.php?gid=23519&p=group&s_sort_stock=price_regular_inc%2Cdesc

    Similar laptop to your above, BUT last generation AMD system:
    http://www.jbhifi.com.au/computers/asus/15-inch-notebook-sku-86130/


    I hate pricing here. -.-
    Reply
  • v3nom777
    joytech22Pricing is considerably different around the world.For the above systems you mentioned, here they run for $999 and $1199 respectively.We have some of the highest priced computer components in the world.. Like the GTX690 for $1600...Proof: http://www.pccasegear.com/index.ph h=193_1385http://arc.com.au/pub.php?gid=2351 inc%2CdescSimilar laptop to your above, BUT last generation AMD system:http://www.jbhifi.com.au/computers sku-86130/I hate pricing here. -.-
    I need to move to Australia and set up a Computer wholesale business. I would make a killing.
    Reply
  • whyso
    It's funny really. Intel keeps pushing ultrabook makers to lower costs but continues to sell its CPU's at prices of over $200. i5 3427m is $225. If AMD sells it processors at $100 less it could really do well. Especially for the cheaper ultrabooks ($500 to $600 range).
    Reply
  • tomfreak
    If it reach price $499. I am game!
    Reply
  • Kamab
    Having trouble seeing how a part that costs 50$ less then the Ivy Bridge counterpart can create a 200+$ price gap in machines.
    Reply
  • Basically, AMD does not have restrictions on "Ultrathin" machines, unlike Ultrabooks that have a set of conditions. this is why AMD machines can be much cheaper than intel's offerings, it sounds like in different countries, they are trying to sell Intel's ultrabooks at bare bone price (At $699) while an AMD ($599) would still have some leeway.
    The main thing that would put AMD infront though is, if a) The Processing speed is high enough on the APU to not see a big difference between Intels machines (So anything with above 1 second lag during general tasks) If AMD's CPU lags in general tasks, then they will fail
    and B) The better Graphics, Thermals and Price trifecta, Since Intel's move to Tim, i would not buy Ivy bridge. They are trying to find way to cut costs. Also if AMD's Graphics are indeed good enough for everything (unlike intel) Then indeed, 99% of users would be better off with an APU
    Reply
  • I am curious to see how AMD does graphics wise on 17W systems. Their graphics advantage is only slight when compared against mobile HD4000 as it stands. It would appear they have to drastically reduce the clock rate to get the power down. I'm not sure the graphics performance will be any better on Trinity at 17W than on ULV ultrabooks.
    Reply