AMD has announced it is making Advanced Processing Units (APUs) available to the channel, along with a lineup of motherboards and low-power mobile platforms. APUs — which are basically a GPU and a CPU compressed into one die to create an ultra-fast mobile 3D/HD-enabled processor — could have a serious impact on mobile technology. Here are the details of AMD’s strategy and what partners should know about the technology.

Think of the APU technology as AMD’s answer to Intel’s onslaught of Atom CPUs. The AMD G-Series embedded platform features the new APU, which comes in an 18-watt E-series and 9-watt C-series flavor. Simply put, these babies pack a lot of processing muscle with very little power needed, making them ideal candidates for netbooks, tablets and mobile phones, since they can provide stunning visuals and quick processing without being a major power suck.

AMD resellers will be happy to know that motherboard designs based on the AMD APU will be made available to channel partners and system builders in Q1 2011, and will be coming from popular manufacturers including Asus, Gigabyte, MSI and more. I would note (as does AMD) that these embedded boards are potentially ideal for digital signage systems, POS systems and even medical imaging computers — all very ripe markets for the channel.

It’s about time that AMD launched a counter to Intel’s mobile dominance, and in classic AMD tradition, the company will be looking to capitalize on value per cost with competitive prices to fend off Intel. (Ahem, no actual prices yet.) Although AMD tends to be the underdog, I think its existing GPU muscle has the possibility to provide a better APU experience than what Intel could potentially offer.

We’ll keep our eyes out as the APU makes it way into devices in 2011.

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