Panel makers are apparently not thrilled by Intel's CULV plans, and they're not eager to devote more production capacity for suitable thin 16:9 panels used in CULV designs, due to low demand.

Digitimes claims the issue might upset Acer's CULV plans, as it has contracted Wistron to build its 14.1-inch and 15.6-inch Timeline notebooks, but AU Optronics seems unable to meet Acer's demand for new, power efficient panels.

AU Optronics' shipments of 16:9 14.1-inch and 15.6-inch screens in March were very low, 120,000 and 50,000 units respectively. At the moment AU Optronics is the primary partner for CULV designs, as Korean panel makers will have suitable panels only in Q3. Chi Mei Optronics, Taiwan's second largest panel maker, also seems to be working on similar panels, and is already listing some of them on its website.

Supply is expected to ease later in Q2, when AU Optronics ramps up production of 14.1-inch and 15.6-inch. It must be noted that 13.3-inch and 13.4-inch panels don't seem to be facing these supply issues, and most vendors are expected to launch CULV notebooks in these sizes, and move on to larger models later in the year.

More here.