AMD joins forces with Transmeta

Darius Chang | Jun 07, 2006

Hands up those who remember the Transmeta company? In the days before the Centrino platform was born, Transmeta was instrumental in creating low voltage processors optimized for mobile computers. Though its performance was questionable, systems based on these chips had amazing battery life, at least according to the standards then. Unfortunately, the success of Intel's platform has all but sidelined its mobile processors.

With the new Microsoft FlexGo service--an initiative which aims to promote PC usage in third-world countries using a subscription-based-model--may soon bring Transmeta back into the mobile computing market. Its Efficeon microprocessor, according to the manufacturer, offers a secure hardware foundation which gels with the needs of the FlexGo service. Apparently, it is interesting enough to attract the attentions of AMD, who has announced that it will offer its marketing and distribution muscle to bring this specialized processor to emerging markets. This partnership may just be the thing Transmeta needs to gain a piece of the saturated PC pie.

Filed under: PC & Peripherals
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