AMD and Microsoft Bring Pay-As-You-Go to Computer Market
Customers in high-growth markets now have more choices when it comes to purchasing a PC. Taking a cue from the success of pre-pay mobile phones, AMD and Microsoft have teamed up to debut a new technology called FlexGo™. In the FlexGo model, consumers:
- Receive a full-featured PC for their home or small business
- Pay to use the PC by purchasing prepaid activation cards or signing up for monthly payments
- Own the PC after completing the payment terms (either number of hours or number of monthly payments)
FlexGo follows AMD’s strategy of bringing affordable computing to underserved markets by creating unique business models enabled by innovative technology. The flexibility of the payment plan greatly extends the reach of AMD’s 50x15 Initiative by subsidizing both expensive hardware and software in markets where neither is traditionally affordable.
In its role as one of Microsoft's technology partners, AMD sold the first processors designed specifically to support the FlexGo technology. In late 2007 there will be a new AMD-based FlexGo solution that will have enhanced security and will be streamlined for ease of manufacture, plus support the new Windows Vista Operating System from Microsoft. AMD expects this compelling solution to drive interest to new heights in the target emerging markets. Trials in Brazil, Mexico and India will allow Microsoft to optimize both the OEM and the user experience; this will position us to launch the updated solution to these and other high-growth markets in volume in early 2008.
FlexGo is the latest in numerous collaborations between AMD and Microsoft to increase Internet access around the world. Microsoft previously teamed up with AMD to supply the OS for AMD’s Personal Internet Communicator (PIC).