AMD updates Fusion E and C series processors

AMD's Fusion series of APU processors first grabbed our attention at the beginning of 2011 for their impressive showing in 11.6-inch ultraportable laptops like the HP Pavilion dm1z, offering great performance and battery life for a good price. The E and C-series APUs representing the entry-level and thin-and-light side of the laptop and desktop universe have been updated, with memory and graphics enhancements and a promised gain in resting battery life.

AMD claims 12 hours of resting battery life on a charge on the C-series APUs, and 10.5 hours on the new E-series. Of course, our battery life tests are more conservative, but any battery life gains in the ultraportable market are welcome. Other improvements include DDR3 1,333 MHz memory support and HDMI 1.4 for output of 3D video content to 3D HDTVs.

The new APUs should be showing up in ultraportables, laptops, and budget desktops starting today.

If AMD's new processors offer a significant boost, we'll be curious as to how thin-and-light Ultrabook-like AMD PCs will compete with Intel's category-owning plans.