AMD was operating without a CEO back in January for the previous six months or so. Don't know if they filled the position yet but that's probably why the Bulldozer floundered for so long before hitting the market. If they have filled the position, that could be why the they're taking a different direction. As far as I'm concerned, AMD is still the top-dog in graphics chipsets. It was rumored Nvidia may be taking a new direction as well. Too much AMD for Nvidia to keep up with. Just as there's too much Intel for AMD to keep up with. It's been hard times all around but I don't think Intel would shoot themselves in the foot by over pricing. Microsoft wouldn't take that well either. MS needs to sell operating systems. One feeds on the other.