Two tablet chips coming from AMD

AMD plans to introduce two major processor designs for tablet computers during the next two years, representing a significant shift in priorities for the chipmaker that has been hesitant to throw its hat in the tablet ring as of yet.

According to UK news provider the Register, AMD Global Business Units general manager Lisa Su says the company plans to "hit the volume sweet spots," which means it can no longer ignore the ever-growing tablet computer market.

"That includes mainstream, entry -- and, yes, that's going to include tablets in a big way, because that is where we believe there will be growth in the market," Su says of AMD's newly revealed technology roadmap.

The world's No. 2 microprocessor manufacturer, AMD will launch its "Hondo" accelerated processing unit (APU) design in 2012 and "Temash" in 2013. Both architectures are designed for tablet computers and will focus on reducing power consumption while boosting processor and graphics performance.

AMD is also gearing up to move into the next-generation notebook PC market in the coming months. In response to Intel's Ultrabook™ computer, AMD has revealed plans to put its own technology onto super-slim, highly portable laptops currently codenamed Ultrathins.