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Intel’s upcoming Atom processor is designed to be an energy efficient CPU that will provide moderate performance and plenty of power savings, allowing low capacity batteries to run a little longer. So it’s no wonder many PC makers who plan to launch low-cost ultraportables this summer want to put the Atom CPU in them. But Digitimes reports that Apple Daily, a Chinese language site, vendors say they’re not going to be able to meet the demand.

In May, Intel has reportedly only been able to meet 40% of the demand for the chips. Dell, Acer, MSI, and Gigabyte are just some of the companies that plan to use the chips in their computers, and it’s not clear if this means some of the companies will delay the introduction of their Eee PC competitors, or if those computers will be made available, but in small quantities.

Meanwhile, companies like Asus and HP that have already released low cost computers without waiting for the next generation chip may benefit by having the market mostly to themselves for a few more months. The HP Mini-Note uses the VIA C7 processor, while the Asus Eee PC currently uses a 900MHz Celeron chip.

[via Electronista]