AMD updates business desktop platform

2009 platform has the latest processors, support for Windows 7 and 24-month stability

AMD's business desktop platform targets SMEs, enterprises and the public sector

AMD has unveiled its 2009 Business Class desktop platform, designed to appeal to small and medium sized businesses, large enterprises and the public sector through support for Windows 7 and a promised software image stability of up to 24 months.

The chipmaker's new commercial-grade PC platform combines the benefits of the latest processors, chipsets and graphics hardware, along with improved manageability, security and virtualisation features, according to AMD. The company's first platform for business desktops was launched in 2008.

Available in systems such as HP's Compaq 6005 Pro series, the new platform is based on AMD's Phenom II and AMD Athlon II 45nm processors, 7-Series chipsets and ATI Radeon HD 4000 graphics.

AMD said that its Business Class technology helps customers manage image changes by offering a planned lifecycle of up to 24 months on the processors from their initial availability.

The new platform also features AMD DAS 1.0, a suite of technologies that covers AMD-V virtualisation support, compatibility with the management standards specified by the Distributed Management Task Force, and security through a trusted platform module.

"Businesses require stable, reliable and powerful PCs that can meet their growing and evolving needs," said Chris Cloran, vice president and general manager of AMD's client products.

The new desktop platform also features AMD's Cool'n'Quiet 2.0 technology to minimise processor power consumption and help save on energy costs, the firm said.