Intel Backs Out of Third World Laptops

Jan 04, 07:58 AM

Intel said it ended its relationship with OLPC citing disagreements with Nicholas Negroponte, brother of U.S. Assistant Secretary of State John Negroponte, regarding the Intel-designed Classmate laptop offered as an alternative in developing countries.

Friday's Wall Street Journal reported that OLPC asked Intel to stop selling the Classmate and cease supplying rival markets with Intel microchips.

We can't accommodate that request, said Intel spokesman Chuck Mulloy.

OLPC launched a plan in 2005 to offer low-cost laptops to developing countries in an effort to expose them to modern technology.

OLPC set a target of distributing as many as 150 million laptop computers at the cost of $100 but the OLPC laptop never reached a market price of less than $188.

The IDG News Service said Friday that the relationship hinged on Intel obtaining a seat on OLPC's board of directors but competitive market forces damaged the overall relationship. Intel Backs Out of Third World Laptops
Back to Current Headlines