14 DAY TRIAL // AMD/ATI finally managed to officially launch the desktop HD 2000 family. While most of the available graphics cards closely follow the reference board indications, we should expect some overclocked versions with unconventional cooling systems in the weeks to come. Performance wise, the HD 2900XT is somewhere between NVIDIA's 8800 GTS and 8800 GTX, but its $399 price is quite unbeatable for what it has to offer.
"We set out to create a family of products that would revolutionize the graphics market by introducing leading-edge technology at game-changing price points," said Rick Bergman, senior vice president, AMD Graphics Products Group. "We've delivered on this challenge, broadening the enthusiast gaming market so that more people than ever before have access to the phenomenal gaming and multimedia experiences that the ATI Radeon HD 2000 series introduces."
In order to make it up for the somehow disappointing R600 family, AMD/ATI are officially introducing today the Mobility Radeon HD 2000 video solutions for notebook computers. The Mobility Radeon HD 2300 has already been shipped to notebook integrators and will be found in mainstream notebooks aimed at the sub-$1000 market. This could be seen as a mainstream solution based on a 90nm core and is intended to support the Windows Vista Aero interface and decode high-definition video.
With the HD 2900XTX for desktops coming in July, AMD/ATI will also ship the higher-end 65nm DX10 mobile solutions - Mobility Radeon HD 2400 and HD 2400 XT. These two versions will be able to provide decent gaming capabilities to thin and light midrange notebooks. July will also see the top-end Mobility Radeon HD 2600 and HD 2600 XT debut. Particularly aimed at enthusiasts and gamers, these cards will be included in high-performance notebooks.
OEM integrators including Acer, ASUS, Fujitsu, Fujitsu-Siemens Computers, Gateway, HP, LG, Packard Bell, Samsung and Toshiba have already announced their notebook lineups based on the Mobility Radeon HD 2000 family.