AMD pips Intel in retail sales

AMD had 49.8 per cent market share in October, compared to Intel's 48.5 per cent

Chipmaker AMD has outsold Intel for the first time in processors for desktop and notebook computers in US retail stores, according to data from analyst firm Current Analysis.

AMD claimed a 49.8 per cent market share in October, compared to Intel's 48.5 per cent.

The chipmaker was the largest supplier in the desktop retail market in September, and is now catching up in the laptop segment, raising its market share from 26 per cent in September to 32 per cent in October.

October is traditionally a slow period for computer sales, falling between the back-to-school and holiday shopping seasons.

Toni Duboise, a senior analyst for desktop computing with Current Analysis, explained that the retail computer market is only a small segment of the overall client computer space.

But, although Intel retains its strong hold on the overall market, AMD is clearly catching up, according to the analyst.

"AMD is in a stronger position to compete with Intel than it has been in past holiday seasons," said Duboise.

Intel is still the largest chip maker in terms of revenue principally because its chips are more expensive on average than their AMD counterparts.