Digitimes is reporting that Intel is considering increasing the
price of its N270 Atom parts for the Chinese market. Demand for Atoms
in China seems to be outstripping supply, as more and more vendors
enter the white-box netbook market.
The company is reportedly planning to increase the price of its N270
parts to N280 levels in an attempt to curve demand. Should demand for
cheaper N270 Atoms keep surging, there is a chance the Chinese market
might see an Atom shortage sometime in April.
We don't know the exact N280 pricing, but if Z-series prices are
anything to go by, this might be a substantial increase. For example,
the 1.6GHz Z530 sells for $65, while the 1.86GHz Z540 is priced at
$135. The N270 currently sells for $44.
More
here.