AMD Unveils New Elite A-Series APUs with Enhanced Performance and Improved Power Efficiency

AMD has just announced a new family of Elite A-Series APUs for mobile applications, based on the architecture codenamed “Richland”. These new APUs build upon the success of last year’s “Trinity” architecture, by improving graphics and compute performance, enhancing power efficiency through the implementation of a new Hybrid Boost mode which leverages on-die thermal sensors, and by offering AMD-optimized applications meant to improve the user experience. AMD is unveiling a new visual identity as well, with updated logos and clearer language, in a bid to enhance the brand.

The complete press release announcing the new AMD Elite A-Series APUs with the full scoop is posted below:

New AMD A-Series APU Offers Mobile PC Users Innovative Experiences, Elite Graphics Performance and Longer Battery Life

-- Notebooks with highest performance AMD A-Series APUs expected on shelf this month --

SUNNYVALE, Calif. -- Mar. 12, 2013 -- AMD (NYSE: AMD) today announced the first availability of the AMD Elite A-Series Accelerated Processing Units (APUs), codenamed “Richland.”  The new AMD Elite A-Series APUs deliver innovative user experiences like facial log-in and gesture recognition, improved graphics and compute performance over the previous generation, and enhanced power management capabilities on a single chip.

“The high performance AMD A-Series APU continues to impress with its ability to deliver stunning graphics and immersive experiences with even more battery life. Our engineers have done a superb job of increasing processor performance while decreasing power consumption,” said Bernd Lienhard, corporate vice president and general manager of AMD’s Client Business Unit.  “With the capabilities built into our 2013 AMD Elite A-Series APUs, including new software for gesture control, facial recognition, rich entertainment and more lifelike gaming, we are delivering an ever richer experience to end users and our customers.”

With faster performance and improved power management in the same platform architecture as its predecessor, coupled with AMD Radeon HD 8000 Series graphics, the 2013 AMD Elite A-Series APUs build on the award-winning history of AMD’s original APU line-up to help users get the most out of their notebooks, whether at work, at home or on-the-go.

Differentiated User Experiences
The new AMD Elite A-Series APUs leverage the power of the combined compute and graphics cores to accelerate a suite of available software experiences that can dramatically expand and enhance the user experience:

• AMD Face Login – Uses facial recognition technology and a webcam to allow for quick log-in to Windows and other browser-based websites that require a log-in, like social networking sites and email services;
   

• AMD Gesture Control – Tracks a user’s hand gestures and converts them into commands for basic functions on media players, browsers, e-readers and other popular applications leveraging a webcam, advanced image processing and machine-vision algorithms;
   

• AMD Screen Mirror – Wirelessly shares content like photos, videos, HD media streams and webpages from a PC or tablet based on a 2013 AMD A-Series APU with any supported TV or display with a DLNA receiver, or with other PCs. Available only on select AMD-based devices;
   

• AMD Video Entertainment Features – Make your content look its very best: AMD Steady Video technology gives users push-button control over shaky home video and helps stabilize the images for better viewing; AMD Quick Stream technology7 enables smooth video streaming and a virtually interruption free streaming experience; and AMD Perfect Picture HD8, creates rich and lifelike color on video entertainment.

This optimized-for-AMD software will come pre-loaded on select AMD Elite A-Series APU-based notebooks later this year and will be downloadable from www.amd.com next month.

Next Level Performance
Through engineering optimizations on the previous generation of the AMD A-Series APU platform architecture (formerly codenamed “Trinity”) and updated graphics, the 2013 AMD Elite A-Series APUs feature significant performance increases1, 2, along with support for high-end technologies:

• Visual and compute performance increases over the previous generation of AMD A-Series APUs;

• AMD Start Now Technology for tablet-like responsiveness;
   
• Improved AMD Turbo CORE technology with higher boost frequencies than the previous generation, for more performance when you need it and energy conservation when you don’t;
   
• Support for AMD Eyefinity technology, AMD Radeon dual graphics, and DirectX 11.

Enhanced Power Management
AMD continues a power/performance leadership through the latest generation of power management technologies.  These boosting and throttling technologies enable more intelligent, higher compute and graphics core performance to help enhance PC responsiveness and extend battery life. Building on the idea of AMD AllDay Power, the 2013 AMD Elite A-Series Platform enables up to 7.9 hours of web browsing, 5.7 hours of HD video playback and up to 10 hours of resting battery life on a 55 watt/hour battery.

Availability and Technical Details
Performance and traditional notebooks based on these 2013 AMD Elite A-Series APUs are shipping now with availability beginning this month in select regions. Model numbers and technical details for each are as follows:

New, low-voltage and desktop variants of AMD Elite A-Series APUs are expected to be announced and available in the first half of 2013.