AMD Better by Design Program Enables PC Manufacturers to Deliver Ultimate Solutions for Windows Vista

At CES, AMD (NYSE: AMD) today announced the Better by Design program, a first-of-its kind initiative highlighting outstanding performance and superior technologies in desktop and notebook PCs designed by leading global OEMs. With the impending launch of Microsoft Windows Vista™, the world is moving to a new level of computing experience with increased emphasis on performance, graphics, and mobility. Desktop and notebook PC users today want better performance and a rich experience from their PCs, and the Better by Design program will help ensure that PC users have an added level of information to make a smarter choice.

AMD’s leading-edge ecosystem, which includes graphics from ATI and NVIDIA and wireless solutions from Airgo, Atheros and Broadcom, will be incorporated in the Better by Design program.

“The Better by Design program represents our commitment to an open platform strategy, based on superior technologies that enable our OEM customers to design truly differentiated PC solutions and deliver premium features, performance and value to end-users,” said Henri Richard, executive vice president, worldwide sales and marketing, AMD. “One of the reasons for AMD’s continued success is that we listen to both our end-users’ expectations and the needs of our OEM customers and respond with solutions to enable the best experiences in computing.”

PC users today expect more from their computers and the Better by Design program features superior technologies and leading-edge performance buyers want for their ever expanding digital lifestyle. Beginning in January 2007, systems that feature the Better by Design label will incorporate high-performance and energy-efficient AMD64 dual-core processors, superior graphics and wireless network performance to help deliver on the promised rich visual capabilities and exciting new features of Windows Vista. Computer manufacturers supporting the Better by Design program include Acer, Dell, Gateway, HP, Lenovo, NEC, Tongfang and others.

“Acer is dedicated to bringing the best technology to empower our customers to achieve more than ever,” said Campbell Kan, Head of Mobile Computing Business Unit, Acer Inc. “Our Ferrari 1000 and 5000 notebooks exemplify this commitment with their racecar-inspired design, championship-performance, optimized connectivity, and a multitude of media and productivity tools, that blend elegant design with enhanced efficiency. Acer and the Better by Design program share a similar goal; offering better technologies and performance designed around our customers’ true needs.”

"Dell has long believed in the power of standards-based technology and is 100 percent committed to standards-based computing,” said Neil Hand, vice president Dell Product Group. “Innovation around open industry standards means customers can easily do more in their computing environments and get more out of their technology dollars.”

“HP strives to deliver the best experiences for our customers,” said Mark Sanchez, vice president, Consumer Computing – North America, HP. “’Better by Design’ embodies our strategy of integrating and optimizing key technologies to deliver the best price/performance across all our customer segments.”

The Better by Design program is intended to provide key benefits directly to AMD’s OEM and system builder customers and commercial and consumer PC users.

• When consumers purchase a PC from their preferred PC brand they gain peace of mind knowing they get the performance and superior technologies needed to take advantage of the new features and capabilities of Windows Vista.
  
• Businesses will benefit from the high performance multi-tasking and outstanding business value in AMD64 dual-core processors and leading graphics and wireless networking solutions.
  
• OEM and system builder customers can reap the rewards of AMD’s open platform strategy by choosing from the leading PC technologies in the industry to benefit from the innovation and performance that these solutions enable them to deliver to a competitive market place.

“We’re excited about the tremendous support and enthusiasm AMD is providing for Windows Vista at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show,” said Brad Goldberg, general manager for Windows Client at Microsoft Corp. “By working closely together we are helping to provide technologies that will connect, entertain and hopefully surprise people by how easy this next generation of computing makes their lives.”

“With the advent of Microsoft's new operating system, buyers in both the consumer and commercial segments want PCs that will deliver on the Windows Vista visual experience,” said Roger Kay, president of Endpoint Technologies Associates. “With the Better by Design program, PC manufacturers can take advantage of premium, industry-standard technologies that enable them to rapidly develop differentiated, feature-rich products that meet Vista's performance requirements.”

This program represents a truly unique partnering in the industry. As a leader in the industry, AMD has developed an open platform strategy that drives collaboration and competition among the leading technology companies around the world. It is open and fair competition that results in superior technologies, better choices for PC manufacturers, and better experiences for PC users, all for a better value. This program represents the efforts of companies that compete and now collaborate to bring greater innovation to PC buyers.