It's no secret that AMD has fallen well behind Intel in the mobile CPU space, but it intends to make up major ground by launching its first Phenom triple-core and quad-core processors for laptops. There will be new dual-core and single-core CPUs as well.

Last year kicked off AMD's rebranding strategy, one that has helped divert attention away from parts and frequency numbers and focus instead on the user experience. It's called , and the term is separated into four tiers, each corresponding to a market segment, namely: budget, mainstream, home-theater, and enthusiast PCs. On Tuesday, AMD extended the Vision brand to include a new family of mobile processors.

It's no secret that AMD has fallen well behind Intel in the mobile CPU space, but it intends to make up major ground by launching its first Phenom triple-core and quad-core processors for laptops. There will be new dual-core and single-core CPUs as well, continuing the Turion and Athlon brands, only they're followed by the number "II."

Like Intel's newest Core processors, AMD has updated its mobile platform with a host of new advanced technologies, including DDR3 memory (up from DDR2), a faster HyperTransport 3, support for Direct X 11, and improvements in battery life. Most compelling of all, you'll see AMD's Phenom processors in laptops as small as 13 inches.

Technology breakdown

It has been a while since AMD updated an entire mobile platform, which isn't only the processor, but everything around it. Upcoming AMD processors will be accompanied by DDR3 memory now, instead of DDR2  a move that Intel had made early last year. Most AMD-based laptops will trend toward 4GB; AMD says the platform can support more than 4GB, but it'll be up to the OEM. Remember that AMD always had its memory controller onboard the processor package, essentially never having such features as a Front Side Bus (FSB) or a north bridge. Intel, on the other hand, recently removed the FSB from its Core processors. Today, AMD's HyperTransport 3 will continue that tradition with its optimized memory controller by cranking memory controller speeds from 800MHz to 1.6GHz.

Certain advanced technologies still give Intel the upper hand, though. For instance, AMD's TurboCore technologythe equivalent of Intel's "turbo boost"which is available in its desktop , won't be available with this mobile processor release. Like Intel's turbo boost, TurboCore under-clocks inactive cores while boosting performance of the ones that are active, sending a burst of speed to the processor. And the Intel concept of hyperthreading, or virtual cores, doesn't exist in AMD processors.

AMD's rationalization is that having more physical cores are better than virtual ones, which is why you'll see triple- and quad-core solutions in thin and light laptops. More physical cores also translate to higher thermals, though, so we'll see how the battery life scenario plays out.

Vision takes into account several hardware factors, including processor and graphics performance while hitting a particular price. With graphics performance, AMD has maintained support for Direct X 11 (discrete graphics only) in its new platform. You will also see more laptops with switching graphics, or the ability to switch from discrete to integrated graphics (and vice versa) based on graphics demand.

Vision platform  A breakdown

In stores, you won't see laptop stickers that have AMD processor and graphics card model numbers. The way you buy an AMD laptop is based on what day-to-day tasks can be performed on it, broken down into tiers: Vision Basic, Vision Premium, Vision Ultimate, and Vision Black.

Vision Basic covers laptops in the sub-$500 price range and could even include netbooks. The minimum requirement is an AMD Athlon II X2 Neo or Turion II X2 Neo branded processor and an entry level ATI graphics chip (the 4200 series).

Performance creeps up a bit with Vision Premium, with all the processors in this tier maxed out at a dual-core level. For instance, an AMD laptop with the upcoming 1.7GHz Turion II Neo X2 K665 CPU, 4GB of DDR3 memory, and a midrange ATI discrete graphics card falls under the Vision Premium brand. The new Phenom processors will have a dual-core variant as well: An AMD laptop with the 2.8GHz dual-core Phenom II X620, 4GB of DDR3 memory, and a midrange graphics card will also be seen under this brand. Expect battery life improvement with this revamp. AMD claims that its dual-core laptops can last up to 7 hours.

Vision Ultimate is intended for advanced users: video editors, professional photographers, and part time gamers. This is the tier where the new Phenom II triple- and quad-core processors will begin their journey. An example of an Ultimate branded laptop is one that will be equipped with the 2GHz quad-core Phenom II N930, 4GB of DDR3 memory, and the ATI Mobility Radeon 5650 graphics card. And believe it or not, these parts will reside in an AMD-based laptop with a 14-inch widescreen display.

Vision Black represents the top of the heap, as it parts are aimed at hardcore performance enthusiasts. One of the most compelling features in this tier is its overclocking ability, as these Phenom II processors are unlocked. In terms of speed, the Intel Core i7-920XM Extreme Edition should have nothing to worry about, but the quad-core Phenom II X920 X4 (2.3GHz) will be very attractive from a pricing standpoint. A Vision Black system, for instance, may also include 4GB of DDR3 memory and an ATI Mobility Radeon 5850 graphics card. As with Ultimate, you'll see the "Vision Black" stickers in thin and light form factors.

At least 26 new ultra thin laptops are being introduced (a 30 percent increase from last year, according to AMD. And that's good news for cost-conscious power users.