Chicago (IL) – Dell has slimmed down its product line using AMD processors, triggering a wave of speculation that Dell may actually be phasing out its partnership with AMD. The CPU manufacturer however claims that what can be seen on Dell’s website right now is the result of a changing product mix, apparently into retail.

Friday wasn’t a particularly good news day for AMD. Reports that Dell has removed many AMD systems from its website caught the manufacturer on the wrong foot. The stock price took another hit and dropped to $6.30 in Friday after hours trading. The firm’s current market cap is about $3.65 billion.

AMD tried to control the damage and released a statement on Friday, stating that “AMD and Dell continue to enjoy a strong partnership and AMD is pleased with the growth ramp we are experiencing with Dell.”

“Dell indicates it sees significant growth opportunities in retail with AMD, and is in the process of redistributing its product mix as it does from time-to-time. In addition to several AMD-processor based Dell notebooks and desktops now available in retail, consumers and businesses may purchase AMD-based desktop and notebook systems on Dell.com, as well as a wide range of AMD-powered server solutions via Dell.com as well as its other direct channels,” the statement read.

To put this into the perspective, the current AMD-equipped Dell products include the Latitude D531 and Inspiron 1501 notebooks, the Inspiron 1531 desktop, the Optiplex 740 workstation as well as the Vostro 1000 and PowerEdge 6950 server products.

Compared to a few months ago, the AMD product line in fact appears to be thinned out. Dell, however, justified this move with a simple “adjustment” of its product offering. “Currently the majority of our consumer AMD-based systems are available through our retail partners such as Wal-Mart, Best Buy and Staples, and through telephone sales,” Dell said in a statement. “Dell also sells a range of AMD-powered business notebooks, desktops and servers online. Certain product ranges or models may only be available through specific channels such as retail or phone. We are committed to the AMD product lines as a long-term partner to provide the maximum choice for our customers.”

At least for now, it appears that AMD remains part of the product line and what we see today may be just the learning process in which channels AMD systems are most efficient for Dell. A complete departure from at this time would be rather surprising since Dell needs AMD to balance its product line and as a negotiation tool against Intel. Clearly, AMD clearly isn’t in the driver’s seat right now and this fact is reflected in Dell’s current product mix. This mix may actually change again in AMD’s favor once the Phenom triple- and dual-cores will become available in volume.

Interestingly, we saw a similar change involving AMD processors into retail happened over at Gateway recently. While Gateway never offered AMD systems via its website, it replaced last year’s Intel quad-core GT5628 retail desktop with two AMD Phenom-based models. We were assured by Gateway, however, that this move was an effect of product cycles and not a sign that the company would ditch Intel in its retail offering. Gateway declined to comment on whether it will be offering Intel quad-cores in its retail desktops this year.