AMD launches first 64-bit notebook chip

AMD is claiming a launch win over rival Intel with the introduction of the first dedicated, 64-bit dual core processor for notebooks. 

The company has launched the AMD Turion 64 X2 family, designed for thin and light notebooks. Intel is not expected to launch its 64-bit notebook chip, codenamed Merom, until later this year.

AMD may have beaten Intel to the post but 64-bit processing will only make a real difference when the 64-bit Vista operating system arrives. This will not be until the end of this year, but only in quantity in early 2007.

The Turion 64 X2 mobile chips cater for multi-core power management to extend battery life and feature Digital Media Xpress technology for image processing, audio and video encoding, and decoding and 3D graphics rendering.

Notebooks using the new chips are due out soon from partners including, Acer, MSI, Asus, Fujitsu, BenQ, NEC and Packard Bell.