There are a number of directions for ?professional grade? processors in the market, varying from embedded to long-life support to server functionality. AMD's PRO lines of processors are akin to their consumer counterparts, except they run a guaranteed lifecycle of support with ?image stability? (guaranteed OS images) and extended OEM warranties. AMD's PRO line typically covers both embedded systems via the BGA lower parts and commercial/enterprise systems with socketed units. This week AMD is announcing their PRO line using the latest AMD microarchitecture, Bristol Ridge, along with continued support for customer requested features.

If you?ve ever browsed for an OEM system, or in a brick-and-mortar shop, you may have come across a system labeled something along the lines of ?PRO A8? using an AMD APU. I recently wrote a small news piece which involved an HP system in my local store with a PRO name. These parts enable an OEM to build a particular system, either as a business-to-business sale or directly to customers, and guarantee a fixed longevity for replacements to that system. This is a requirement for a lot of government and business electronic installations ? the ability to replace like-for-like in the event of failure. AMD states that the unit shipments of their PRO processor line for commercial, enterprise and the public sector has risen by 45% since mid-2014, or a 20.4% compound annual growth rate (CAGR).