14 DAY TRIAL // Since prices are one of the major factors behind the decreasing popularity of netbooks, now that tablets are running rampant, it looks like Intel decided it was time for a change of plans.
It looks like netbooks really are in trouble if their makers, as well as the inventors of their platforms, are trying to find ways of making them cheaper than ever.
Early last year, it was believed that these entry-level mobile computers would keep growing in sales for years.
Now that tablets are visibly causing their shipment levels to decreases, Intel and its partners want to see netbooks get more affordable.
Granted, low-end laptops are already much more affordable than they were about six months ago, but makers want to go even lower.
According to a report made by Digitimes recently, Intel has come up with a new strategy for the marketing of such devices.
Basically, the chip giant and its partners will work together to both expand functionality and performance as well as reduce the price to under $200.
For one, the Cedar Trail-M mobile platform will be adopted, along with wireless audio and the Wireless Display (WiDi) feature.
Meanwhile, the Santa Clara, California-based company will encourage development of content and applications suited for the Middle East, Latin America and Easter Europe (it is there that the new machines will be sent).
Engineering samples of such mobile computers have supposedly already been shown to ASUS, Acer and China-based second-tier white-box netbook players.
All of them will run the MeeGo operating system that Intel has been developing and availability should begin in the second half of the ongoing year (2011).
In the meantime, those involved in this initiative will have to keep a close eye on the tablet market as well and promote the recently released Oak Trail Atom Z670 CPU.