The AMD Athlon II is a series of microprocessors designed for desktop and laptop computers. Launched in 2009, these processors are part of the AMD family and are built on a 45nm manufacturing process. They offer a balance of performance and energy efficiency, making them suitable for everyday computing tasks. Athlon II processors come in various models, including dual-core and quad-core options, allowing users to choose based on their performance needs. They support the AM3 socket and are compatible with both DDR2 and DDR3 memory, providing flexibility for system builders and upgraders.