Intel Invests in Sharp, Saves It in Exchange for Ultrabook LCDs

The TV market has been slowly drifting down, and Sharp has been seeing the worst of it, having lost enough money to force 5,000 job cuts.

The new deal with Intel won't revert that workforce reduction, but it may help stave off worse things.

Long story short, Intel is investing in Sharp in exchange for the latter's delivery of LCD panels suitable for Ultrabooks. This may be just the break the latter needs to stop being completely dependent on television sets.

Sharp got the deal thanks to the IGZO technology (idium gallium zinc oxide), which cuts power needs on LCDs, allows for thinner models and full clarity even when the backlight is weaker.

The touch support is a good feature to have as well, especially with Windows 8 around the corner.

It is suggested that Sharp will receive $383 million, or 294 million Euro.