Latest Rumor Pegs Microsoft Wanting To Buy AMD

Following the recent report that AMD is exploring splitting itself up or potentially selling off business units, there's now a rumor out there that Microsoft has set its sights on AMD.

According to a report today at KitGuru, a seemingly reliable Windows-focused enthusiast web-site, Microsoft has interest in buying AMD. Their source attributes Microsoft's interest in AMD primarily for their Xbox chips / gaming division but it's also possible they could use AMD for future Surface tablets, smartphone chips, etc. The Xbox One is currently powered by AMD as is the PlayStation 4, which could put Sony in an awkward position should Microsoft acquire the chip giant. Microsoft certainly has enough cash on hand to buy out AMD, which right now has a dwindling market cap of $1.91 billion USD.

Neither Microsoft or AMD has provided any public statements at this time. Today's talk comes just a few days after it was rumored that Qualcomm is interested in acquiring AMD. For the sake of open-source AMD fans and Linux driver support, let's hope this just is in fact just a rumor and that AMD manages to improve their financials with successful forthcoming products (Zen, Fiji, Quantum, etc) rather than getting split up or acquired.