VIA and Microsoft start alliance to release cheap netbooks

VIA and Microsoft want to jointly conquer the market for netbooks in emerging markets. To this end, they have entered into a partnership with other manufacturers and suppliers.

Processor manufacturer VIA has started an alliance of about fifteen hardware and software manufacturers and suppliers. Participants include Microsoft, AMI and Sandisk. The purpose of it partnership is developing and marketing affordable netbooks and notebooks in emerging markets. The Global Mobility Bazar, as the consortium calls itself, emphatically does not focus on competition with well-known brands, but focuses on the budget market. The first products should appear on the market as early as December.

For VIA, participation in the initiative can significantly increase the sales opportunities for the company’s processors. The VIA processors should compete with Intel CPUs and ARM processors, which are mainly used in economical machines and budget equipment. Microsoft would benefit from a huge market for Windows XP, but would receive very little money per license.

The intended price range for the GMB’s low-cost laptops would be roughly three to four hundred euros and should be increased in the course of 2009. to fail up to 170 to 200 euros.