Intel expects Atom processor shortage to end by September

With the Atom-based mini laptop orgy that has become synonymous with 2008, it's no surprise that Intel has had problems meeting demand for the new processor. That should end soon, however, says Sean Maloney, executive VP and GM of Intel's Sales and Marketing Group. Maloney points out that Intel now has four 300-millimeter manufacturing plants that he says will be doling out the silicon wafers en-masse by September. "We've got four 300-millimeter fabs, so we can really hose this stuff out," he told PC World. With the expected popularity of the ASUS Eee PC 901, this news is coming just in time.

[fanman @ Jun 3rd 2008 11:32AM]

Last.

[X-BLADE @ Jun 3rd 2008 11:37AM]

No!

[Pochi @ Jun 3rd 2008 11:38AM]

Nobody comment after this. He called last, and he has earned it.

[Todd @ Jun 3rd 2008 11:40AM]

Taking a page from Big Oil, by internationally shorting supply against near term demand to drive up and artificially inflate prices? Nice to see the execs at Intel play golf with the execs at Exxon.

[Pochi @ Jun 3rd 2008 11:45AM]

You bastard.

[Matt @ Jun 3rd 2008 12:28PM]

Maybe you're thinking of Nintendo? Although I don't think they've increased prices because of it.
At least Intel seems to be doing something about the expected shortage.

[Keith @ Jun 3rd 2008 11:56AM]

Feel free to release the specs for the mini Inspiron any time Dell (jeeze)...

[Howard @ Jun 3rd 2008 12:31PM]

"we can really hose this stuff out"

Huh? Am I the only one who's never heard this expression used to describe anything other than cleaning dead-hooker blood out of one's trunk?

[SirWalksAlot @ Jun 3rd 2008 12:40PM]

Let's get this straight: A shortage of something has NOTHING to do with demand. ZERO. Supply and demand are separate things. I'm so sick of hearing a shortage of something used as marketing to imply popularity.

Who are they selling these to? These are the same companies that a couple years ago were telling us that there was no demand for devices like this anymore.

[Anthony @ Jun 3rd 2008 1:00PM]

I believe someone missed economics 101.

A shortage of something doesn't imply popularity (which is relative) but it does imply that demand is greater than availability. Ferrari Enzos aren't necessarily popular, but there are only 400 & more than 400 people want them (demand is greater than supply).

http://www.investopedia.com/university/economics/economics3.asp

[Ted Mathews IV @ Jun 3rd 2008 12:51PM]

i'm going to wait for AMD and VIA to get there stuff out. The ATOM is a cripled cpu...

[sinai @ Jun 3rd 2008 12:54PM]

are people really interested in atom after those CPU benchmarks showed up?

[Nuno Sousa @ Jun 3rd 2008 3:26PM]

wow, those are some tiny factories.

[fish @ Jun 3rd 2008 5:16PM]

rofl :)