Dell readies its first AMD Fusion laptop, the $699 Inspiron M102z

Summary: Most of Dell's laptop lineup is Intel-based, but the Inspiron M100 series appears to be saved for its AMD notebook forays. It already sells the Inspiron M101z with an Athlon II processor, and now it appears to be adding its first AMD Fusion portable in the form of the M102z.

Most of Dell's laptop lineup is Intel-based, but the Inspiron M100 series appears to be saved for its AMD notebook forays. It already sells the Inspiron M101z with an Athlon II processor, and now it appears to be adding its first AMD Fusion portable in the form of the M102z.

For $699, the M102z will come with a 1.6GHz E-350 Fusion Zacate processor and Radeon HD 6310 graphics, along with a 11.6-inch screen (1,366x768 resolution) and 4GB of RAM. You can also get a cheaper version ($599) with a 1GHz CPU, or bump things up to $759 with a built-in TV tuner.

While it won't necessarily provide the same performance as an Intel Core i3 mobile processor, the E-350 has garnered high marks in other systems (see reviews here and here) as an alternative to an Intel Atom-based netbook. Dell's entry confirms that AMD has a successful mobile offering right out of the gate with Fusion, as we await more powerful laptop processors using the new platform.

[Via Engadget]

Topics: Laptops, Dell, Hardware, Mobility, Processors

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  • RE: Dell readies its first AMD Fusion laptop, the $699 Inspiron M102z

    You should note that the prices are in Australian Dollars. The M102z hasn't been made available yet for the US.
    LP212
    • Message has been deleted.

      Joe_Raby
  • Message has been deleted.

    brettze
  • WILL INTEL LET RETAILERS SELL IT?

    Recent antitrust proceedings yielded some disturbing and fascinating facts about Intel's business practices.

    For example, Intel apparently bribed MediaMarkt (among others) to NOT allow AMD computers on their stores' shelves. MediaMarkt is Europe's largest tech retailer.

    Intel also bribed and threatened HP, Dell and IBM with billions of dollars to prevent them from selling AMD-based computers.

    What makes you guys think that we'll even see these things on store shelves? Intel is an unusual company with some very disturbing marketing practices.
    RichardEich
    • RE: Dell readies its first AMD Fusion laptop, the $699 Inspiron M102z

      @mgcguy Screw Intel. Let them threaten all they want, it just makes AMD look that much better. AMD knows what they are doing. I don't think they ever intend on overpowering Intel, that is just not possible, but moves like this will get under Intel's skin and piss them off, and I bet that makes AMD smile.
      Bates_
      • RE: Dell readies its first AMD Fusion laptop, the $699 Inspiron M102z

        @Bates_ My feelings exactly :)
        spdrcrtob
      • RE: Dell readies its first AMD Fusion laptop, the $699 Inspiron M102z

        @Bates_ I think AMD would be happy with a 50/50 market share with Intel. That means AMD has a 100% market growth upside, and Intel about a 30% market decrease.
        mrxxxman
    • RE: Dell readies its first AMD Fusion laptop, the $699 Inspiron M102z

      @mgcguy I will never do business with Intel as it just makes me feel the heat and burn in my face...gee...

      Intel's business practices will just make me install tons of software and run customer's cooling fans at full speed to make them think that their computer is slower than AMD, but please excuse my bias against Intel, though.

      I'd say that there's no justice for Intel. I'll just treat Intel as a corporate criminal.
      Grayson Peddie
    • RE: Dell readies its first AMD Fusion laptop, the $699 Inspiron M102z

      @mgcguy

      Don't think you will see "these things on store shelves". Dell tends to sell mainly on the internet. It would be interesting to see what proportion of HP and Lenovo computers are sold on store shelves compared to on the net.
      jorjitop
    • I just had to scroll up and look at the date this was written..

      @mgcguy
      This is not news. AMD sued Intel over this issue a couple of years ago.
      Wolfie2K3
  • RE: Dell readies its first AMD Fusion laptop, the $699 Inspiron M102z

    AMD has never enjoyed 50/50 market share. The best it's ever been in 80/20 or 70/30 depending on what market you observe. That would be, to state it mildly, a miracle for AMD. Don't get me wrong - I've been a strong supporter of AMD chips since the K6 days. But there's too many deals set in stone to allow an even split. Also, Dell's attempt at using AMD chips on consumer products has always been a losing proposition. They've attempted this many years ago when Intel chips were prohibitively expensive (I think it was PII or PIII that caused Dell to try and jump ship), but it didn't set well with Intel and you know the rest of the story.
    gwd3@...