Few hardware vendors have not yet launched their own mini laptop (or, "netbook"). Most brands these days produce their own version of the same hardware, with Intel's i386-compatible Atom cpu's and Windows XP installed on a spinning hard drive or sometimes still a solid state disk. Some Linux models are still sold by some vendors, among whom Asus, which more or less started selling in this OLPC-inspired genre of laptops.
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I agree, and further on that line of reasoning, the company that actually designs and packages the VIA Nano, Centaur Technology (A VIA subsidiary), is located in the US.
Even if Taiwanese government allowed such a purchase, the US government would probably not allow Centaur Technology to be transferred into Chinese hands.
Member since:2008-04-28
Have you been living in a cave for the last two years?
I am impressed with the economic achievement, and the technology achievement too.
They have sent men to the space. Making a CPU is not as complex as landing human on the moon.
You sure do not understand the culture. The Chinese always do what the government says. Now they want to make CPU. Trust me, they will get there.
Who wants a MIPS CPU? Again, the Chinese government will make it official. All govt department IT must use Chinese CPU and Open Source software. 1/4 of the world's population is there. Is the market big enough?
Member since:2005-11-15
I have a lot of respect for the Chinese people, and I do not feel that the American culture has any special key to high tech business innovation. But I do believe that each generation of CPU development takes billions of dollars, and requires tight coordination of highly skilled engineers. Creating new generations of CPU on tight deadlines is very difficult. Even AMD has difficulties doing this. With respect to the Chinese engineers creating the Loonson-2, they will have the same difficulties.
If you have any insight into high tech development in China I would very much like to hear from you. China studies are fascinating and China will have a large role in high tech development and will affect all of our lives.
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2005-11-15
I don't hold much hope for the Loonson-2 MIPS chip outside of China. History has shown that the market forces that drive the X86 platform are powerful. X86 have completely killed off MIPS, and Alpha platforms. PowerPC is no longer a desktop options, SPARCs future has been in question for some time.
The only reason Loonson-2 exists is because it is heavily subsidized by the Chinese government. If and when the government removes or lessens subsides, the chip will be prohibitively expensive.
I seriously doubt that the Loonson-2 R&D can keep up with Intel, AMD, ARM or even Via's Nano. It will be outpaced and outmoded like some East German car competing against a West German BMW.
If the Chinese government had half a brain they would have simply bought a controlling interest in Via, and used the Nano as their platform.