AMD Reveals Ultrathin Prototype, Roadmaps

Thursday during AMD's Financial Analysis Day, Engadget spotted an "ultrathin" ODM reference unit from Compal featuring AMD's upcoming Trinity APU. The chip was believed to be one of the lower variants -- either 17W or 25W -- housed within an 18-mm form factor. This particular model was reportedly one of many prototypes currently being shopped around to OEMs.

According to the site, the prototype featured plenty of connectivity onboard including two USB 3.0 ports, mini-DisplayPort and HDMI mounted on the left, and audio jacks, another USB port, Ethernet and power mounted along the right. AMD is looking to sell the final product at half the price of Intel's ultrabook form factor, ranging from $500 to $600 USD.

On Thursday AMD also revealed its desktop and mobile roadmaps for 2012 and 2013. Later this year AMD will replace the Bulldozer line with the 32-nm performance-driven Vishera series which will contain 4 to 8 "Piledriver" cores. Also slated for 2012 will be the mainstream 32-nm 2nd-generation A-Series APUs codenamed Trinity with 2 to 4 "Piledriver" cores and a 2nd-generation DirectX 11 GPU, and the low-power, 40-nm E-Series APUs codenamed Brazos 2.0 with 2 "Bobcat" cores and a DirectX 11-capable GPU.

On the 2012 mobile front, AMD is releasing the Trinity APUs with both standard (35W) and Low Voltage (17 to 25W) options. The E-Series APUs will be accompanied by the C-Series with power options ranging between 9 to 18W. For the tablet and fanless ultra low power sector, AMD will introduce the Z-Series APU codenamed Hondo sporting 1 to 2 x86 cores, ultra low voltage (4 to 5W) and a DirectX 11-capable GPU.

As for 2013, AMD will release the 2nd-generation 32-nm FX desktop CPUs codenamed "Vishera" on the performance front, sporting 4 to 8 "Piledriver" cores. AMD will also launch the 28-nm 3rd-generation "Kaveri" APU with 2 to 4 "Steamroller" x86 cores, a Graphics Core Next GPU and HSA application support for the mainstream sector, and the 28-nm Kabini APU with 2 to 4 "Jaguar" x86 cores and a Graphics Core Next GPU for the low-power "essential" end.

AMD's 2013 mobile assault will include the 28-nm Kaveri APU with 2 to 4 "Steamroller" x86 cores, a Graphics Core Next GPU and HSA Application support. For both the mainstream and essential markets, AMD will release the 28-nm Kabini APU with 2 to 4 "Jaguar" x86 cores and a Graphics Core Next GPU. The tablet and fanless ultra low power sector will receive the 28-nm Tamesh APU with 2 "Jaguar" x86 cores and a Graphics Core Next GPU.

In a separate slide, AMD revealed that in 2012 it will launch the discrete 28-nm Southern Islands GPU with Graphics Core Next and DirectX 11 support. Then in 2013 AMD will launch the discrete Sea Islands GPU sporting a new architecture and HSA features.

"AMD's strategy capitalizes on the convergence of technologies and devices that will define the next era of the industry," said Rory Read, president and CEO, AMD, on Thursday. "The trends around consumerization, the Cloud and convergence will only grow stronger in the coming years. AMD has a unique opportunity to take advantage of this key industry inflection point. We remain focused on continuing the work we began last year to re-position AMD. Our new strategy will help AMD embrace the shifts occurring in the industry, marrying market needs with innovative technologies and become a consistent growth engine."