AMD reveals plans to retire ATI graphics brand
AMD, the exclusive provider of discrete graphics chips in Apple's latest refresh of the Mac desktop lineup, will phase out the ATI graphics brand name this year.
AMD is prepared to make the change because it believes having two brands is unnecessary, and the company plans to offer both CPUs and GPUs combined in its forthcoming Fusion product, according to ZDNet. Existing products such as Radeon will maintain their names, but will be labeled as AMD products rather than ATI.
AMD said it conducted research that found its brand is stronger than ATI, and that consumer preference toward ATI triples when they are aware of the ATI-AMD merger. AMD acquired ATI for $5.4 billion in 2006.
Apple partners with AMD's rival, Intel, for all of the CPUs in its line of Macs. However, AMD and Apple do have a close relationship when it comes to graphics processing in the Mac lineup.
In July, Apple updated its Mac Pro and iMac desktops, and the new machines only offer ATI graphics. But soon, those same products will be labeled AMD.
AMD, in justifying the change, highlighted its relationship with Apple, noting that the company continues to "secure new design wins with major OEMs -- e.g. Apple iMac and Mac Pro." The company said it has the "momentum and data to make this change with confidence."
The chipmaker also said that with the AMD Fusion chip set to debut in the fourth quarter of 2010, it is "perfect timing" for the branding change. AMD said its "Ontario" model, which will be its first to offer a CPU and GPU in a combined package, will be a "watershed moment" for the company.
AMD is prepared to make the change because it believes having two brands is unnecessary, and the company plans to offer both CPUs and GPUs combined in its forthcoming Fusion product, according to ZDNet. Existing products such as Radeon will maintain their names, but will be labeled as AMD products rather than ATI.
AMD said it conducted research that found its brand is stronger than ATI, and that consumer preference toward ATI triples when they are aware of the ATI-AMD merger. AMD acquired ATI for $5.4 billion in 2006.
Apple partners with AMD's rival, Intel, for all of the CPUs in its line of Macs. However, AMD and Apple do have a close relationship when it comes to graphics processing in the Mac lineup.
In July, Apple updated its Mac Pro and iMac desktops, and the new machines only offer ATI graphics. But soon, those same products will be labeled AMD.
AMD, in justifying the change, highlighted its relationship with Apple, noting that the company continues to "secure new design wins with major OEMs -- e.g. Apple iMac and Mac Pro." The company said it has the "momentum and data to make this change with confidence."
The chipmaker also said that with the AMD Fusion chip set to debut in the fourth quarter of 2010, it is "perfect timing" for the branding change. AMD said its "Ontario" model, which will be its first to offer a CPU and GPU in a combined package, will be a "watershed moment" for the company.
Comments
AMD said its "Ontario" model, which will be its first to offer a CPU and GPU in a combined package, will be a "watershed moment" for the company.
Huh. A combined CPU and GPU. And a resurgent Mac marketplace. This could prove vereee interesteeeng....
Huh. A combined CPU and GPU. And a resurgent Mac marketplace. This could prove vereee interesteeeng....
Good pair of articles today about Intel's Sandy Bridge as well. Sounds like the gpu in one of the new i5s will be better (in most tests) than an ATI 5450. Yes that's an entry level card, but it showed good results at lower resolutions and quality settings. You won't be playing anything high end that way, but it might but the space needed to also fit a discrete card so their graphics switching solution can fit into 13" notebooks
People don't really care about ATI vis-a-vis nVidia. However, the AMD brand has a lot of loyalty and good will attached to it, because they have always been looked at as the David in front of the Goliath, Intel. They are also, quite rightfully, credited with making Intel move towards better chip designs after the disasters that was Pentium 4, and moving the industry towards 64 bit.
Smart Move, IMO.
People don't really care about ATI vis-a-vis nVidia. However, the AMD brand has a lot of loyalty and good will attached to it, because they have always been looked at as the David in front of the Goliath, Intel. They are also, quite rightfully, credited with making Intel move towards better chip designs after the disasters that was Pentium 4, and moving the industry towards 64 bit.
As far as graphic hardwares concerned, ATI has a heck lot more brand recognition than AMD. Especially in the descreet graphic cards market, people look for ATI, not AMD. This is going to cause very much unncessary confusion and errosion of value. Another stupid marketing move from AMD.
As far as graphic hardwares concerned, ATI has a heck lot more brand recognition than AMD. Especially in the descreet graphic cards market, people look for ATI, not AMD. This is going to cause very much unncessary confusion and errosion of value. Another stupid marketing move from AMD.
I don't think so. ATI, while known in the graphics market, is a much lesser-known brand than AMD. This will actually help raise AMD's brand awareness in my opinion, as even Intel-based computers will many times contain AMD/ATI chips in them. This will put that branding side-by-side and help raise it into higher prominence.
All in all, I think this is a smart move.
In July, Apple updated its Mac Pro and iMac desktops, and the mew machines only offer ATI graphics. But soon, those same products will be labeled AMD.
Mew machines? Like the Pokemon?
In any case, I wonder if Apple will actually label their Radeon's as AMD parts. As those logo pictures in the article show, AMD is providing 2 sets of GPU logos, one with AMD branding and one without AMD branding specifically for OEMs who are using AMD GPUs with Intel CPUs to avoid conflicting AMD/Intel branding. Apple may well just stick to the AMD-less logo/branding and call them Radeons which are recognizable enough.
Just like cars, you can't tweak computers anymore once you make the purchase (not easily, anyway).
Reminds me of the whole Coors-Molson takeover. Yet another example of how foreign ownership is destroying Canada.
Huh. A combined CPU and GPU. And a resurgent Mac marketplace. This could prove vereee interesteeeng....
"vereee interesteeeng...."
Arte Johnson, Laugh-in reference?
Is the correct response, "You bet your sweet bippy?"
I wonder how big the club of fellow oldster Mac users is these days.
Here's a double whammy blast from the past. I had and ex whose friend retired in their youth because they were one of the original AOL grunts with stock that went through the roof. One of the things they bought to keep themselves amused since they won't have to work for the next 50 years of their life was one of the original amphibious ATVs from the old Banana Splits show. I was jealous. That's like being able to smoke ganja from the "magic flute" from the HR Puff -n-Stuff prop department.
Huh. A combined CPU and GPU. And a resurgent Mac marketplace. This could prove vereee interesteeeng....
Do you think that apple is going to upgrade the graphics in Macs? They have a lot of potential for vast improvements there. And it seems Apple is trying to finally get some traction in the gaming market.
Maybe we'll finally see good graphics?
As far as graphic hardwares concerned, ATI has a heck lot more brand recognition than AMD.
From the story:
"AMD said it conducted research that found its brand is stronger than ATI, and that consumer preference toward ATI triples when they are aware of the ATI-AMD merger."
Darn.
WTH is a watershed moment?? why do people talk like this!
It means they get a bunch of cold water dumped on their heads.
WTH is a watershed moment?? why do people talk like this!
To cause consternation among people who write WTH.