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AMD ratchets budget notebooks to 1GHz

John G. Spooner ZDNet US

Published: 17 Dec 2001 17:53 GMT

Advanced Micro Devices has broken the 1GHz mark for low-priced notebooks.

The chipmaker on Monday announced a new 1GHz mobile Duron chip for notebook PCs. The mobile Duron is similar to the company's mobile Athlon4 chip, but is manufactured at lower clock speeds and includes a smaller level 2 cache. Its advantage is a lower price.

Competitor Intel's top budget mobile chip, the 933MHz mobile Celeron, was introduced on 1 October.

The new Duron chip helps notebook manufacturers to offer a 1GHz notebook for less than $900.

The chip will be available in Compaq Computer's Presario 700 notebook, starting on Monday. The notebook, when configured with the 1GHz chip with a 13.3-inch display, starts at $899. That price is $50 less than the price of a notebook with a 1GHz mobile Athlon4 but otherwise the same configuration, and it's some $300 less than a model with a 1.2GHz Athlon4.

The new Presario will hit retail outlets early next year, according to AMD.

The new mobile chip lists for $160, according to AMD. It follows the introduction of a 1.2GHz mobile Athlon 4 and 950MHz mobile Duron in early November.

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