Chip manufacturer AMD confirmed it has introduced a 500MHz version of its K6-2 processor, with OEM prices at $167/1000. That positions the processor against the Intel Celeron chip family in terms of pricing. At the same time, AMD said IBM will use the part in some members of its consumer Aptiva range. While AMD ramps volumes of its Athlon K7 throughout the rest of this year, it will use the K6-2 to attack the Celeron in its own patch. Although the K6-2 family has been successful in the marketplace, AMD is vulnerable with its K6-III family of processors, which have not sold as well as it hoped, according to distributors close to the company's plans. According to Robert Stead, European marketing director of AMD, the K6-2 is likely to exist until the middle of next year. Meanwhile, as reported here earlier, AMD will roll out K6-IIIs using copper technology and eventually move the Athlon K7 into the volume value part of the market. ®