Intel Atom Shortage, VIA Sales, Nano Shipments

Intel Atom Couple of quick articles on Intel and VIA CPUs for the netbook market.

First off, DigiTimes mentions the impact the Intel Atom shortage is having on the netbook industry. They mention that because of the shortage, that LCD panel makers who handle the manufacturer of the 7″ to 10″ LCD panels for these devices are concerned about shipments of these devices (i.e. people waiting for specifically for an Intel Atom device). It’s not helped by the fact that there is a battery shortage (which might ease up this month – note the word “might“). The Intel Atom shortage on the other hand could last through the fall (into September).

DigiTimes mentions that for 8.9-inch displays, AU Optronics (AUO) and Chi Mei Optoelectronics (CMO) are the primary suppliers. When it comes to the 10.2-inch displays, Chunghwa Picture Tubes (CPT) and HannStar Display ship the majority of those. Kind of interesting little bit of information. Another company, Innolux Display, is ready to start producing panels for the low-cost / sub-notebook market.


Next, DigiTimes is also reporting on sales of VIA CPUs. In the financial report / conference where VIA Technologies reported on their June revenues (slightly down overall), they mentioned that they are seeing increased orders for the VIA C7-M CPUs (that are used in such devices as the HP 2133 Mini-Note).

They also mention that their new VIA Nano CPUs should start shipping in August or September.

Of interest to netbook fans:

Related orders for the new processor have already been received from at least three first-tier PC vendors, so the company expects to see a better performance in the second half of this year.

Obviously one of those is probably HP with an upgraded HP 2133. VIA has said that the Nano offers an easy upgrade path, and would offer better performance for the same amount of power (VIA’s C7-M has been criticized when it comes to the performance department).

The next would probably be Everex with their Cloudbook Max (which by the time the Max ships, the Nanos should be available).

Could the third be Sony shipping a Quanta Computers made device (based on the VIA OpenBook)?