AMD and VIA set to launch processors for netbooks

Recognizing just how hot the netbook market is right now, both AMD and VIA seem to be all set to launch processors directly targeted at that segment of the market sometime this week. Their goal seems to be maintaining the low price tag and small build netbooks are known for.

AMD especially is focused on increasing battery life and improving upon video performance. Eight to nine hours worth of battery life is what we should expect from a netbook, says Pat Moorehead, Vice President of Advanced Marketed at AMD.

VIA is expected to appeal to non-Western markets, through areas such as China, Brazil, Russia and India that have strong emerging markets, wherein cheap netbooks could do very well. AMD is expected to be announcing their new processor sometime this week, with which they will place themselves in direct competition with the Intel Atom.