Posted on Tuesday, January 27 2009 @ 19:48 CET by Thomas De Maesschalck
AMD
unveiled yesterday it has no plans to create a replacement for its Geode LX, the aging low-power processor that is used in products like the OLPC XO laptop, set-top boxes and UMPCs. The chip maker will continue to ship the Geode as long as the market demands it, but there won't be any further development. Analysts argue development of the Geode isn't worth spending resources on, because the chip adds little to AMD's bottom line.
The chip is too old for further development, said Dean McCarron, president for Mercury Research. Chip designs and manufacturing processes have improved since it was first introduced.
AMD is also trying to channel its resources smartly during tough economic times and Geode isn't high on its list of priorities, McCarron said.
"Geode was a nice niche market for them, but we are in a very different environment. You can't split your attention too many ways," he said. Geode doesn't contribute to AMD's bottom line like the mainstream chips.
