Intel offering netbook packages to Chinese computer makers

Intel may not have decided whether netbooks are for grownups or not. But there’s one thing that’s clear. As long as netbooks are selling like hotcakes, Intel wants to make sure computer makers are buying its netbook parts. DigiTimes reports that Intel’s latest move is to offer white-box computer makers in China access to a handful of kits they can use to build netbooks round the Intel Atom platform.

For the equivalent of about $256, vendors can get a kit with an Intel Atom N270 CPU, 945GSE chipset, 8.9 inch display, 512MB of memory, 8GB or 16GB SSD and Linux operating system. For a bit more money vendors will be able to get a larger 10.2 inch display and other additional features.

We’ll probably never see any of the computers based on these specific kits in the US, since these are specifically for the Chinese market. But that’s not to say that Intel couldn’t offer similar kits to western manufacturers in the future.

Posted on Monday, April 13th, 2009, 6:02 pm by Brad Linder

oddone

Welcome to the PC as an absolute commodity item, normal as toasters and televisions.

I'm more sad about this than anything…who stands out anymore? Who innovates? What if I want something more freaking powerful than a 945 chipset?!

No, we won't see these in the US. But what can I say, I think every geek should get a chance at the good stuff, no matter their home.
animatio

yup – the old acer one concept …. but expensive like hell. one must really be stupid as an oem to buy such stuff ….. and wanting to sell it for about $350 to make some small revenues
BoloMKXXVIII

Not to worry folks. For that price with those specs the Chinese companies will buy maybe 2-3 each, take them apart to see if they can learn anything, then build their own models with cheaper prices.
oddone

Agreed. But they can't replicate the Atom, and the longsoon won't cut it. The same is probably true of the graphics and I/O subsystems, I'm not aware of a Chinese made chip that even meets the 945's low standards.

This is all about fostering an ecosystem that only Intel can provide. Not that they don't already own the market…but why not get more money and mindshare while you're at it?

It's the homogeneity of hardware that bugs me so freakin' much….
oddone

Agreed. But they can't replicate the Atom, and the longsoon won't cut it. The same is probably true of the graphics and I/O subsystems, I'm not aware of a Chinese made chip that even meets the 945's low standards.

This is all about fostering an ecosystem that only Intel can provide. Not that they don't already own the market…but why not get more money and mindshare while you're at it?

It's the homogeneity of hardware that bugs me so freakin' much….

Intel offering netbook packages to Chinese computer makers

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