AMD to buy Canadian graphics and video chipmaker ATI

NEW YORK – Microchip manufacturer AMD will buy Markham, Ont.-based ATI for US$5.4 billion, the companies announced this morning. "The combination will create a processing powerhouse by bringing AMD's technology leadership in microprocessors together with ATI's strengths in graphics, chipsets and consumer electronics," says the press release. While AMD generally concentrates on microprocessors and computing, ATI's chips are used in many consumer electronics devices from cable set top boxes to video game consoles. "Combining technologies, people, and complementary strengths, AMD plans to deliver in 2007 customer-centric platforms for the benefit of customers who want to collaborate in the development of...