Taiwanese news wire DigiTimes is reporting that HP is in negotiations with Intel to get the Atom platform restrictions eased.

If successful, HP is hoping to be able to offer a netbook that has an 11.6 inch screen in the second quarter of 2009 - current restrictions apparently limit the screen size to just 10.2 inches.

We reported the other day that the Atom platform wasn’t being allowed to flourish. This is clear evidence of that. How is it that a mega PC builder like HP has to go begging to Intel to ask the chip giant for permission to increase the screen size of a netbook that it plans to offer in 2009 - I just find that amazing.

Has Intel really got such control and power in the market place that it can dictate to these mega system builders what they can and can’t do?

If that is so, that is really alarming. X

Check Out
Digitimes
Intel’s Atom is a gem