AMD+ATI Merger

So this one should be interesting, apparently AMD is purchasing ATI. Should be interesting for Linux for a couple of reasons, one obviously AMD tends to be the processor of choice for many people running Linux due to Linux actually supporting full 64 Bit all the way through the chain for most people. AMD actually pushed for this before their launch, which makes me wonder if maybe they might push for strong support of the ATI platform that they seem to be heading towards for Linux, possibly relooking at the drivers that ATI provides that so many people have problems with.

Curious what other people think might happen here...

Seablade

That may be a bit difficult if I go with AMD depending on how things go I agree that this is primarily about the Centrino style development, I would disagree on the embedded development, it isnt a place that AMD is known for at all, and neither is ATI. That area is dominated primarily by others, and I havent really seen much effort put forth by either to change it. ATI I think may have been involved with some graphics dont get me wrong, but I dont tihnk that is good enough to draw embedded development out of it. Of course if embedded development is the endgoal, it could mean better support for Linux anyways as that is where Linux is at its strongest is customizing it for different platforms and dedicated purposes. At any rate though, I do think that saying that this wont affect how ATI functions may be being a bit myopic. Even if AMD does its best to continue running ATI as normal, something will change over time as a result of them being the overlords. It comes down to the bottom line, obviously AMD thought linux enough of a moneymaker to support its 64 bit line(And obviously this paid off very well in the server market), otherwise they wouldnt have bothered. ATI has apparently thought Linux important enough to bother with(Even with crappy drivers). To me it is entierly possible that when mixing those two corporation with similar lines of thinking, it may be possible they reinforce each other to the point we get decent drivers and support. Personally I would have much prefered an AMD + NVidia combination myself, especially when dealing with development for laptops as that is the better combination for linux support, but I am thinking something MAY come out of this. Seablade

I completely agree, I am very curious to see how that one turns out, as NVidia has supplied a lot of AMDs chipsets, and AMD has mentioned they have nothing against NVidia, and thus far has been a very good pairing for me when building computers.

It has been suggested that AMD might shift ATI's focus to primarily on the Centrino style development, nearly removing it entierely from the running for high end graphics. Not sure if that is likely or not, but could mean problems for consumers in the long run if that does happen. As much as I like NVidia, I doubt they would pass up an opportunity to make more money.

Seablade