Microsoft and Intel want to limit Netbook screens to 10.2 inches
There is collaboration, and there is collusion. According to Digitimes, Microsoft and Intel have reached an agreement that the next generation of Netbooks will not have displays larger than 10.2 inches. Vendors that insist on making minilaptops with larger LCDs will not be eligible for the lower Windows 7 volume licensing rates for these machines.
This move is understandable as the upcoming Pine Trail Netbook platform with HD playback capabilities is likely to cannibalize the sales of traditional ultraportables and even the recent line of sleek Intel CULV machines. By excluding Netbooks with larger displays from the volume licensing scheme, it may bump a future 12.1-inch Atom-based machine into an unacceptable price bracket. However, it remains to be seen if the market demand for a Pine Trail Netbook with a larger screen size will overcome this obstacle put forth by Intel and Microsoft.
At press time, we were still awaiting confirmation and comments from Intel. According to a Microsoft representative, the company has no comments on this matter as it is an internal agreement with OEMs.
Via DigiTimes
About the author
Tracking laptop and PC trends since 2005, Darius Chang may have been knee deep in bits and bytes but is certainly not a binary person. Under that big and soft exterior holds a marshmallow core which dotes on his god-daughters and nephew. Suspected of ADD, his interests span disparate fields such as sustainability studies, diving, sports, politics, etc. A true jack of all trades, but master of one (maybe two).
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@NickJacobs You state: "we don't artificially constrain innovation ... However, we do give recommendations" Is this a constraint or merely a recommendation: "Vendors that insist on making minilaptops with larger LCDs will not be eligible for the lower Windows 7 volume licensing rates for these machines" Can you officially confirm or deny the above statement, and if confirmed, explain how it can possibly be construed as simply a "recommendation"? To me, this seems more like collusion to monopolise, in violation of the Sherman Act (antitrust). Please clarify.
Hey Darius, Greetings from Intel Asia PR. To be clear – we don't artificially constrain innovation by trying to tell our customers what they can/can’t try & commercialize. However, we do give recommendations on what will give consumers optimal experiences. And we believe that, given the performance capabilities of Atom, the best experiences are to be had on < 10” screen devices. People buying an Atom-powered device with a 12” or 13” screen may expect it to perform like a mainstream notebook – but it won’t, and they’ll be disappointed. We said the same to Digitimes when they first wanted to report on the unsubstantiated assertions of unidentified 3rd parties. You’re welcome to fact-check your material with any of the Intel Asia PR team. You know we always aim for a fast turnaround. Cheers, Nick
The arbitrary labeling of mini laptops as netbooks is what started all this. Granted, they were a cheap way to get on the internet and get some actual "work" done but they never really presented any real value. They were mostly cramped, underpowered machines wrapped in brilliant marketing that highlighted the incredible value these notebooks supposedly offered. In reality, people that had them weren't happy with their overall ownership experience and still needed real computer to get the job done. With the advent of these new ULV processors from Intel, thin-and-lights seem to be the new battleground instead of the ultraportables. I can't wait to see the trend move back to full-fledged notebooks being touted as the best value for money because of the screen sizes available and more robust hardware.
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