April 5 2011 news by blogs@forbes

In hardware, the picture is much clearer: because of the requirement for minimal power consumption, almost all highly mobile devices are being power by chips from ARM Holdings. Intel keeps trying to position its Atom chip for this space, but the system manufacturers are not yet convinced. Meanwhile, ARM is extending its reach from phones, its traditional space, up to tablets, the new hot product market.

AMD, on the other hand, like all fabless semiconductor companies, is more nimble and can take advantage of market turns more easily if it wants. nVidia, with its Tegra processor, represents a perfect example of a fabless semi company doubling down in short order on ARM architecture.

AMD is partnered with Globalfoundries, which already has agreements with ARM licensees (e.g., Qualcomm). With Globalfoundries making lots of ARM chips now, it could easily make some for AMD if AMD took out a license.