AMD is to launch the 400 MHz version of its K6-2 processor on 10 November, with the backing of a "top tier" vendor, according to sources close to the company. It's not yet entirely clear who the vendor is, but Compaq, IBM and HP are all candidates. All three companies have been successful in selling AMD K6 machines in the retail market in the past few months (Intel sales badly dented by AMD upstarts), and announcing record sales two days ago AMD said that, building on its success in the retail market, it was now poised to challenge Intel in the sub-$1,500 PC arena. But in order to be able to do this AMD needs the support of a tier one PC company with enough credibility to be able to sell AMD-based machines into the corporate market, and it also needs a fast enough part, which is where the 400 MHz K6-2 comes in. Prior to the 400 MHz announcement, AMD intends to roll out a 366 MHz implementation next week on the strength of a deal with Acer. Also next week, the company intends to outline its plans for the next generation K7 at the Microprocessor Forum in San Jose. ® Click for more stories