Very few Yugoslavians had access to computers in the early 1980s: they were mostly the preserve of large institutions or companies. Importing home computers like the Commodore 64 was not only expensive, but also legally impossible, thanks to a law that restricted regular citizens from importing individual goods that were worth more than 50 Deutsche Marks (the Commodore 64 cost over 1,000 Deutsche Marks at launch). Even if someone in Yugoslavia could afford the latest home computers, they would have to resort to smuggling. In 1983, engineer Vojislav "Voja" Antonić was becoming more and more frustrated with the senseless Yugoslavian import laws. "We had a public debate with politicians," he says.

Nvidia, whose chip technology dominates in data centers used to create artificial intelligence software, has announced new products to help the PC industry lure consumers with "AI PCs." Nvidia unveiled three new desktop graphics chips with extra components that will let gamers, designers and other computer users make better use of AI on their personal machines without having to rely on remote services accessed over the internet. The chips, updated versions of existing offerings, will be offered at a "great new price," the company said Monday in a presentation at the CES trade show. Nvidia's rivals Intel and Advanced Micro Devices have already touted what they say is a new era for the industry: AI PCs. The companies argue that AI software is more secure and responsive when it's run on the PCs themselves rather than over the internet. Nvidia now claims its graphics chips are the best engines to power the new types of laptops and desktops.

The graphics card, also known as Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), is responsible for calculating images in a computer, which can then be displayed on a monitor. It represents the interface between the processor's calculations and the monitor. However, the development of graphics cards is now so far advanced that, in addition to this function, they can also support and relieve the CPU during calculations. The computer's processor calculates what data a certain program wants to display on the screen and outputs it as so-called image data. This, mostly numerical, data is then converted by the GPU so that it can be displayed on a monitor or other device. Many laptops and computers contain graphics cards that are already mounted on the circuit board, i.e. the mainboard.

Nvidia has gained attention in recent years with its booming data center business, which sells chips used in artificial intelligence work such as natural language processing. But the company's roots are in graphics chips, which still provided 59% of its $26.9 billion in revenue in its most recent fiscal year. In a streamed online keynote address, Nvidia Chief Executive Jensen Huang on Tuesday introduced the company's newest "Ada Lovelace" series of graphics chips, named for the 19th-century British mathematician regarded as an early pioneer in computer science. The flagship GeForce RTX 4090 model of the chip will sell for $1,599 and go on sale on Oct. 12. Two less costly RTX 4080 models will start at $899 and $1,199, respectively, and go on sale in November.

Sept 20 (Reuters) - Nvidia Corp (NVDA.O) on Tuesday announced new flagship chips for video gamers that use artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance graphics, saying it has tapped Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (2330.TW) to make the processors. Nvidia has gained attention in recent years with its booming data center business, which sells chips used in artificial intelligence work such as natural language processing. But the company's roots are in graphics chips, which still provided 59% of its $26.9 billion in revenue in its most recent fiscal year. In a streamed online keynote address, Nvidia Chief Executive Jensen Huang on Tuesday introduced the company's newest "Ada Lovelace" series of graphics chips, named for the 19th-century British mathematician regarded as an early pioneer in computer science. The flagship GeForce RTX 4090 model of the chip will sell for $1,599 and go on sale on Oct. 12.

Intel's Ponte Vecchio processor uses advanced packaging techniques the chipmaker plans to offer automakers, too. Intel on Thursday announced a new division to design and sell chips that will help carmakers modernize vehicles and the processors that power them. The chipmaker is trying to cash in on a fast-growing market for the semiconductors it builds. For automakers, processors in 2019 represented 4% of a car's cost, but it's going to soar to 20% by 2030, Intel predicts. That's because cars are becoming computers on wheels, with developments like autonomous vehicle technology, driver assistance features like automatic emergency braking, chips that monitor everything from tire pressure to battery temperature, and ever fancier dashboard displays and entertainment systems.

Computer graphics chipmaker Nvidia Corp. reported strong fourth-quarter results today, beating expectations one week after its bid to acquire rival Arm Ltd. for $66 billion fell through. The company reported net income of $3 billion, or $1.18 a share, with earnings before certain costs such as stock compensation of $1.32 per share. Revenue for the quarter jumped 54% from a year ago, to $7.64 billion. That was better than expected, with analysts looking for earnings of just $1.23 per share on revenue of $7.42 billion. Nvidia founder and Chief Executive Jensen Huang (pictured) said the company was seeing "exceptional demand" for its computing platforms.

The biggest U.S. chipmakers, including Intel Corp., Nvidia Corp., Advanced Micro Devices Inc. and Qualcomm Inc., are starting off 2022 by unveiling products that push further into each other's main territories, signaling they're girding for tough competition as semiconductor demand increases across industries. Intel, clinging to its title of world's largest chipmaker by revenue, showed off graphics chips aimed at fighting Nvidia and AMD in their area of domination. Nvidia's latest chips are targeted at persuading more laptop owners to choose its highly specialized graphics capabilities, and AMD touted products meant to maintain its market share gains. Qualcomm, the biggest maker of mobile-phone chips, bolstered its push to win a chunk of the personal-computer market, leveraging its strength in smartphone technology. The flurry of announcements at the annual CES technology conference, based in Las Vegas but mostly taking place virtually, highlights the shifting competitive landscape for the group of companies whose technology rules the computer and mobile-phone industries.

Demand for some of Nvidia's chips has been so hot that it has outpaced the company's ability to increase production, adding to chip-supply shortages riling the semiconductor industry. Nvidia's newest graphics cards were a holiday sensation, Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress said during an earnings call. She added that some inventories are likely to remain low in the first quarter even as Nvidia increases supply. "Throughout our supply chain, stronger demand globally has limited the availability of capacity and components," Ms. Kress said. President Biden on Wednesday signed an executive order directing a broad review of supply chains for semiconductors and other critical materials.

Nvidia Corp. agreed to buy SoftBank Group Corp.'s chip division Arm Ltd. for $40 billion, taking control of some of the most widely used electronics technology in the semiconductor industry's largest-ever deal. Nvidia will pay $21.5 billion in stock and $12 billion in cash for the U.K.-based chip designer, including a $2 billion payment at signing. SoftBank may receive an additional $5 billion in cash or stock if Arm's performance meets certain targets, the companies said Sunday in a statement. An additional $1.5 billion will be paid to Arm employees in Nvidia stock. SoftBank shares surged about 9% on Monday on news of the deal and renewed talks for the company going private.