AMD, Via team up in anti-Intel Centrino push

CHIP MANUFACTURERS Via and AMD are set to take on Intel by collaborating to offer wi-fi standards of their own.

According to a report in the Economic News, they fear that Intel will grab the entire notebook world if it succeeds in its attempt to establish the triple-pronged notebook push as a standard.

And AMD, the reports add, have already broached their case with giant notebook ODMs (original design manufacturers) by sending the Athlon XP-M microprocessor, its 802.11b wireless answer, and Via's chipset for mobiles supporting these two elements to Quanta and Compal.

The major thrust in this push will be cheap and cheerful chips, and AMD has already started mass producing cheaper chips in volume, the newspaper claimed today.

The combo wireless set will be delivered to customers during the second half of this year, the report adds.

So what will Via and AMD call their answer to the Centrino? An INQUIRER t-shirt to the best reader logo and brand name for the push. µ

* AND THE FIRST entry is a goodie. "Neutrino. Not stupid, confuses buyers, and more recognisable than Centrino. Lawsuit magnet though".

** ANOTHER GOODIE. Don't forget Apple, Mark cautions. It could start calling its wi-fi solution the Cupertrino...

*** INTEL FANBOY Paul R. Engel suggests AMD Me-Too-Ino, which is quite witty.