AMD Introduces the AMD EasyNow! Platform Design; PCs Based on AMD EasyNow! Platform Design Planned to be Available This Month
SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 15, 1999--AMD (NYSE:AMD) today introduced the AMD EasyNow!(TM) platform design, the blueprint for innovative, full-featured PCs aimed to enhance the overall end user computing experience and expand the PC user base.
The AMD EasyNow! platform design focuses on making PCs easier to set up, easier to use and easier to upgrade. The platform design includes a novel, visually appealing PC enclosure.
The AMD EasyNow! platform design is the industry's first computing platform to fully comply with the widely endorsed Easy PC Initiative hardware guidelines. The Easy PC Initiative's hardware guidelines specify simplifying startup, reducing the types of connectors and leveraging new technology standards.
Initial systems based on the AMD EasyNow! platform design are planned to be available later this month in the direct and retail channels.
"We believe that easy-to-use and stylish PCs based on the AMD EasyNow! platform design will help expand the market for personal computers," said Dana Krelle, vice president of Marketing for AMD's Computation Products Group. "PCs based on the initial AMD EasyNow! platform design are perfect for value-minded buyers looking for an easy-to-use PC capable of running the most popular applications available for the Microsoft(R) Windows(R) operating system."
"CyberMax is excited to be among the first to begin production and distribution of PCs based on the innovative AMD EasyNow! platform design," said Bill Bisignano, CyberMax Vice-President. "The AMD EasyNow! platform design offers ease of use, combined with an appealing design, that creates an ideal model for consumer friendly PCs."
"The AMD EasyNow! platform design delivers on the industry-wide vision of making the PC more user friendly, giving birth to a new generation of PC users," said Tim Bajarin, President of Creative Strategies. "AMD's design takes advantage of hardware and software advances to deliver a truly innovative platform that meets the ease of use goals of the Easy PC Initiative, and is capable of expanding the PC user base."
AMD EasyNow!(TM) Platform User Benefits
Systems based on the AMD EasyNow! platform design deliver many benefits to the end user by eliminating many of the potential problems that can sometimes greet first-time computer purchasers and users.
Easy to Set Up
AMD EasyNow! platform design-based PCs simplify setup by using the popular USB interface. USB provides a common interface for various peripherals that traditionally required distinct connectors, such as the keyboard, mouse, printer, scanner and joystick. The USB interface reduces the different connector types found on typical PCs from nine down to five.
With the USB ports, AMD EasyNow! platform-design based PCs can be set up quickly, requiring minimal technical skills and no special tools. The USB ports also enable users to quickly expand or upgrade their PCs with the latest external peripherals, without having to open the computer case.
Easy to Use
AMD worked with BIOS vendors and Microsoft to help make PCs based on the AMD EasyNow! platform design easier to use. Key features such as Instant On capability reduce the time it takes the system to start, and eliminate the various and confusing screens that can appear prior to the Windows operating system being loaded.
PCs based on the AMD EasyNow! platform design also take advantage of advanced power management features to enable the PC to re-start from sleep mode in 10 to 15 seconds, or less.
Initial systems based on the AMD EasyNow! platform design are designed to be powered by either an AMD-K6(R)-2 or AMD-K6-III processor, affording users the compatibility, performance and stability AMD delivers with all its processors.
The AMD-K6-2 and AMD-K6-III processors feature AMD's award-winning 3DNow!(TM) technology and support a fast 100MHz system bus interface. With standard connectivity features such as a 56K V.90 modem, Home Phoneline Networking (HomePNA) and Ethernet networking, AMD EasyNow! platform-based PC users can easily share files and peripherals, and rapidly access the Internet.
Visually, PCs based on the AMD EasyNow! platform design are a radical departure from the majority of PCs on the marketplace today. AMD EasyNow! platform-design based PCs are housed in a stylish, attractive enclosure, take up considerably less desk space, and are equipped with an external power supply, providing a quiet and cool computing experience.
To immediately view or download photos of an AMD EasyNow! platform-based PC, visit: amd.com
Availability
Any customer implementing the AMD EasyNow! platform design with an AMD processor is eligible for a royalty free license to the design. Current partners include Cybermax, Pionex, Biostar Group, Dixon's, Softsell, Tecnodiffusione, Proton, Gentry, Sofmap, Leo Systems and Education to Home.
About AMD
AMD is a global supplier of integrated circuits for the personal and networked computer and communications markets. AMD produces microprocessors, flash memories, and integrated circuits for communications and networking applications. Founded in 1969 and based in Sunnyvale, AMD had revenues of $2.5 billion in 1998 (NYSE:AMD).
Cautionary Statement
This release contains forward-looking statements, which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are generally preceded by the words "plans," "expects," "believes," "anticipates," or "intends." Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements in this release involve risks and uncertainty that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations. Forward-looking statements in this release include the risk that the AMD EasyNow! platform will not achieve customer and market acceptance; that system manufacturers will not produce personal computers based on the AMD EasyNow! platform as scheduled, if at all; and that the AMD EasyNow! platform may not help expand the market for personal computers. We urge investors to review in detail the risks and uncertainties in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission.
Visit AMD on the Web
Additional press releases and information about AMD are available at: amd.com
Note to Editors: AMD, the AMD logo, AMD EasyNow!, K6, 3DNow! and combinations thereof, are trademarks, and AMD-K6 is a registered trademark of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. in the U.S. and other jurisdictions. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and other jurisdictions. Other product names used in this publication are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective companies.
CONTACT:
AMD Public Relations
Chuck Lovejoy, 512/602-4405
chuck.lovejoy@amd.com
or
Drew Prairie, 888/474-2066
drew.prairie@amd.com
Toni Beckham, 408/749-3127 (IR)
KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA
BW0057 NOV 15,1999
3:22 PACIFIC
6:22 EASTERN |
