Intel steps down from OLPC board

Not entirely surprising given their own efforts to democratize low cost computers and history of anti-OLPC vitriol, but Intel has stepped down from its position on the board at OLPC, which it's occupied all of six months or so. Apparently Negroponte was after Intel to cut its own Classmate PC program, but Intel wasn't having any of that funny business. It also didn't help that the OLPC is based on AMD hardware -- for now, anyway. We can't help but wonder what might have been with the hardware Intel was supposedly developing for the next version(s), but, you know, strange bedfellows sometimes part ways. [Warning: sub req'd for read link]

[Sandeep @ Jan 3rd 2008 9:04PM]

"help that the OLCP is based"

hint hint...

[Flashpoint @ Jan 3rd 2008 9:30PM]

but how much profit would Intel have made from this anyway?

If Intel backs out of a market like this, you've got to assume its because they wouldn't have made enough money from it to consider it viable. These are ultra-low cost computers for Christ'sakes to be sold in impoverished countries.

Where would the monetary gain have been?

Intel doesn't need to promote its name anymore...everyone is hooked on Core Duos and Pentiums.

Let AMD handle it.

[cmonkey @ Jan 4th 2008 1:06AM]

Actually, I think one of the reasons they backed out of OLPC is the money to be made. They're already developing low power mobile CPUs, but instead of sticking them in OLPC's laptops, they're going to go into their own, giving them control over pricing. (plus the whole non profit vs for profit thing).

This is pretty unfortunate, because AMD hasn't announced anything new on the low power front in a long while, so gen.2 OLPC laptops could end up with the same old Geodes.

[falconz @ Jan 4th 2008 12:43AM]

I think Intel was looking at the big picture with the OLPC and ClassMate. They wanted 'everyone' to use an Intel based system. Even if they only made a marginal profit off each PC, they would make a small mint if the scope of the project is true... Hundreds of millions of homes all over the world.

[Charlie @ Jan 4th 2008 3:10AM]

This is dissappointing, to say the least.

I bought on the first day of the give one get one program, and the last email I have from olpc, sent November 28th, says:

"Thanks to your early action, your XO laptop is scheduled to be delivered between December 14 and December 24. Our "first day" donors are our highest priority and we are making every effort to deliver your XO laptop(s) as soon as possible. We will send you an update upon shipment."

I have not gotten so much as an email from them since, let alone a laptop.

What is going on OLPC? Talk to me!

[deslock @ Jan 4th 2008 5:18AM]

I ordered mine on the 2nd day of the program and it would've shipped out by Dec 16 had it not been for a snafu with OLPC/FedEx's shipping system choking on my address (D'ohhh!)

Still, I received it yesterday so you should call the phone number they sent you in the confirmation email.

[DrXym @ Jan 4th 2008 4:34AM]

Intel got a case of sour grapes for Christmas. I doubt there is much profit in OLPC type offerings so why are they getting the hump? Why are they trying to derail OLPC with Classmate? The weird part is that Intel chipset already power the Asus Eee PC so it's not like they're being left out of the party here.