I doubt anyone has more optimistic expectations than very limited availability in Q4 2016, that should be viewed as a best case scenario, but this is not what's being implied in this thread: the object of discussion is that, according to selected parts in the transcript, Zen has yet to be taped out in the next "several" months, and it will take 12-14 additional months until early availability. That would easily put product launch in Q3 2017. (this info is corroborated from several answers in the transcript and in some cases we don't even know what questions were asked, in relation to which product or even which foundry)
This, however, is in direct contradiction with another claim from the same transcript in relation to Zen: "samples and customers for the validation of the product over the 2016 time frame and then the revenue ramp happening in 2016".
It certainly cannot be both: have revenue ramp in late 2016 and launch the product in the second half of 2017.
Question that was asked,
"Okay, fair enough. Got a few more topics to get to before we end here. So, as Zen, the new x86-based processor; high-end. It's your return potentially into the data center/server area. What's the timing? And what kind of share do you guys…?"
Answer,
"Zen was a clean sheet design that started few years ago. We are in the final figure of executing and the milestone that you want hear us talk about is Zen tapping out, which should be over the next several months. And then putting samples in the hands of our customer and then starting portfolio of revenue in 2017."
Also note,
"And by the way, because we have this reuse approach for cores, you will see us with Zen cores in the high-end desktop first and then the server from our overall products standpoint"
There is a strong possibility that he was referring to the server version of Zen no being taped out yet. If you use that line of reasoning, then the two quotes above are not contradictory.
Another quote suggesting 2016,
Hans Mosesmann - Raymond James & Associates.
And then lastly, comment on the longer term gross margin, operating margin goals timing?
Devinder Kumar - Chief Financial Officer
I think the key is getting through 2016 continue to stabilize the computing and graphics business, commercial, professional graphics embedded and even the high-end desktops here at Zen Core should all be accretive from a margin standpoint. I’ll be very discipline on that standpoint. And then obviously get in the 2017, 2018, 2019 time frame...
He seems to mentions Zen Desktops in his 2016 list, and then goes on to talk about projections after 2016.
Here is another interesting quote,
Unidentified Analyst
[Indiscernible]
Devinder Kumar - Chief Financial Officer
We haven’t given the specifics but you know they taped out in the last few months...in the January earnings call when we announced Q4 results you could expect it to be more specific in terms of FinFET product shipments in 2016."
This one is near impossible to interpret, as we don't know the question. He could only be talking about GPUs, or GPUs and CPUs.