jmke

Antec said Tuesday that it is launching a series of standardized components for small channel vendors and system builders, with an eye toward true "whitebook" notebooks that could be built by just about anybody.

The new components, which interface to the MGM45WU and MGM45RM motherboards Intel launched in mid-July, use a motherboard standard called "Rich Creek 2," which provide standard interfaces for Antec's new keyboards, AC adapters, battery packs, and several components such as integral webcams and Bluetooth modules.

Antec launched the new parts at the Intel Developer Forum here.

The motherboard spec builds on the "Common Building Block" specification Intel launched in 2006. Intel's CBB spec says that the hard disk drive, optical drive, LCD panel, battery pack, customizable notebook panel, power adapters and keyboards can be built on common components.

Although the dream is to allow enthusiasts to build notebooks as easily as they would build desktop PCs, "when that phase will happen, I couldn't tell you," David Forster, director of channel relations for Antec, said in an interview. Antec is "at the beginning" of a time in which smaller system builders can compete with the likes of Dell and other top-tier OEMs, he said.

Still, a number of components are now more readily available. Partner Chi Lin is providing LCD panels; Viewsonic has been rumored to be interested as well. System builders can buy the Rich Creek 2 motherboards directly from Intel, as well as the CPUs; one must be a system builder to buy one, however. Antec is working with a "handpicked" group of system builders, including ASI Corp.

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wutske

I hope more and more manufacturers do this, a custom build computer/laptop is still beter than most OEM stuff.

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/me = Hardfreak
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