Micro-Star International (MSI) is preparing to introduce a low-cost PC product line in June at the earliest, according to Sambora Chen, director of Greater China sales.
The first low-cost PCs from the company will be built on Intel's Shelton processor, Chen said, and will come with a 7-inch panel and Linux support. Initial pricing is set at around NT$10,000 (US$308). Chen added that another model which runs on Windows XP is still under testing. Besides the first models built on Intel processors, Chen revealed MSI is also in talks with AMD about a potential partnership. Preparation on corresponding software and hardware is also in progress, he added.
In light of the growing number of companies including Acer, Compal Electronics and Quanta Computer entering into the low-cost PC segment, MSI stressed that it will be cautious over its deployment and the company's marketing plan will be adjusted in accordance with low-cost PC sales in the first half of 2008. If demand fails expectations, MSI may either postpone or hold off its launch schedule.
Intel introduced Shelton during International Developers Forum (IDF) Taipei in October 2007. This 45nm-made CPU is also said ave gained adoption from Asustek for the company's next-generation Eee PC, according to industry sources.
In separate news, MSI saw its motherboard business grow steadily in 2007 with shipments estimated at 18 million units. The company also anticipates graphics card shipments surpassed 10 million units, while notebook shipments are likely to have topped one million units on growing penetration in Europe and Southeast Asia. MSI aims to see notebook shipments hit 1.5-2 million in 2008, according to company chairman Hsiang Hsu.
Sour??e: DigiTimes
