May 7th, 2008
How long can AMD continue to blame Intel for its failures?
I have a policy on this blog of not passing judgment on what’s legal or not (in the words of Homer Simpson, that’s for the courts to decide) but I do keep wondering how long AMD are going to 
continue blaming Intel for its failures instead of taking a look closer to home.
Here’s a rundown of the latest legal volley from AMD. I’ll let you take a look at this and come to your own conclusions. However, while there may or may not be merit to these accusations, but let’s face it, AMD’s problems boil down to one thing - a lack of compelling products.
Attention AMD - You can’t make money with outdated products!!!
When I look at AMD’s current product line, all I see is a forest of deadness. Intel has products trump every category of products going. Server, desktop, mobile, low-end, high-end, dual-core, quad-core. Intel has all these markets stitched up.
Instead of putting money into projects that might have made a difference (such as getting the Phenom processors out a year earlier than the company did - that would have been a good product a year or so ago!), AMD wasted time and money (hemorrhaged money might be a better term) on futile marketing fluff such as QuadFX. Even hardcore AMD fans have turned their backs on the company over the last 12 to 18 months. AMD is now pinning hopes on the triple-core Phenom X3, but the latest round of Intel price cuts have pretty much eliminated any advantage or appeal that this product might have had.
Also, take a look at AMD’s track record in the GPU market. Here’s a lucrative market but AMD/ATI endlessly offers up products that ultimately disappoint. NVIDIA doesn’t even have to break into a sweat keeping ahead of AMD/ATI. If AMD isn’t careful, NVIDIA will pound the company flat much like Intel has done.
AMD’s in trouble, and I don’t see any signs of a clear, competent recovery strategy. I don’t see how throwing money at lawyers will make much difference.
Thoughts?
Adrian is a technology journalist and author who has devoted over a decade to helping users get the most from technology. He also runs a popular blog called The PC Doctor. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations
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| 05/07/08
