AMD releases 1GHz mobile Duron

AMD has just released a 1GHz mobile Duron chip for notebook PCs, the first to be targeted at the cheaper end of the market.

A company spokesman said that the new processor will enable manufacturers to offer a 1GHz notebook for less than $900.

Similar to the company's mobile Athlon 4 chip, the mobile Duron is designed to have slightly lower clock speeds and includes a smaller level 2 cache making it is cheaper to produce.

Compaq has already announced that it will be using the chip in its new Presario 700 notebook which, when configured with the 1GHz chip with a 13.3-inch display, starts at $899.

This is over $50 less than the price of a notebook with a 1GHz mobile Athlon 4, but otherwise the same configuration. It is also some $300 less than a model with a 1.2GHz Athlon 4.

A Compaq spokesman said that the new Presario is available now through its direct sales channel, and will hit retail outlets early next year.

It has been a busy few weeks for AMD as the company introduced a 1.2GHz mobile Athlon 4 and 950MHz mobile Duron in early November.

The announcement follows October's attempt by arch-rival Intel to release a low-power Pentium III-M chip with the aim of "popularising" ultra-portable laptops.

However, Intel's attempt only includes low-voltage chips at 733MHz and 750MHz, two at 800MHz, and an ultra low-voltage 700MHz model.

The chipmaker also announced a 1.2GHz Pentium III-M, which runs at 800MHz in battery mode.