Bruce Gasson, Senior Technical Marketing Specialist with AMD (formally ATI) shows off the graphics power of AMD Eyefinity technology which connects up to six HDTV screens off one desktop card. Steve Makris Photo
MORE AFFORDABLE COMPUTER CHOICES
With last week’s Toronto world launch of the new AMD Fusion APU (Accelerated Processor Unit,) expect more choices and affordable prices in the next crop of consumer portable and desktop computers.
The Fusion chip, years in the making, owes much of its hype to formerly Canadian ATI Technologies, now an important arm of chip maker AMD. Bought by AMD in 2006, the 1,800-strong graphic graphics chip unit, still at the original Markham location, was instrumental in incorporating the graphics chip and processing chip on one piece of silicon, in a small do-it-all chip size.
It will be consumer targeted with an emphasis on visual performance.
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“Unlike competitors, we are putting more emphasis on graphics, what users see on their screens,” said AMD Canada GM Ben Bar-Haim.
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At the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto, AMD showed a new feature in Fusion chips: with the ability to smoothen out live shaky video often seen on online sites like YouTube.
The downside to new chips like Fusion and Intel’s also recently launched, 2nd Generation Core Processors, is the challenge on what computer model to buy. Low power AMD Fusion chips will be in the next crop of NetBook laptops offering better graphics and 10-hour battery life. But with the unexpected proliferation of tablets, lead by Apple’s iPad, consumers will have to be selective on how to spend several hundred dollars on their next small portable computing device.
For example, the smallest 9-watt energy-efficient single core Fusion in a Netbook will suit the average consumer and will give Intel's Atom netbook processors competition. But it can’t play the highest quality HD video that better digital cameras shoot today. Its 18-watt sibling, finding its way to new laptops does, as shown at the Toronto AMD launch. It will heat up competition with Intel’s mobile chip technology.
What does this mean to you? More choices and prices when buying an affordable portable computer. Price-conscious consumers will still struggle on spending $50 more for a new portable device over another model. The key to getting the right computer is to plan on doing more things with it than you do now.
My advice for those who don’t own an iPad and are waiting for the next great portable, is to wait till spring when we have a better idea of what device makers are offering.
AMD Canada GM Ben Bar-Haim with new Fusion Accererated Processing Unit which combines general computing and graphics in one small chip
TODAY’S GIZMOS ON MY MONDAY EDMONTON MORNING NEWS TV TECH SEGMENT:
http://www.globaltvedmonton.com/video/index.html?releasePID=UxxygvQjdPjNR9dPLhJMP1OKcOdXEfT_
The Moshi Moshi Retro Pop Phone Headset, at London Drugs $39.99, comes in different colours and might seem weird at first. But it’s a great option for talking and listening clearly in noisy places on your cellphone. I first laughed at it but I honestly like using it. It reminds me how comfortable and clear the old phones were. www.nativeunion.com
Energizer Solar Carabiner Crank LED Light, $28 at Canadian Tire this Spring, keeps charged up the new and old fashioned way. It’s large enough not to lose and small enough to take with you and features 8 hours of light off three LED lights. www.energizer.ca
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