Intel Quits One Laptop Per Child Initiative

Intel has withdrawn its seat from the One Laptop Per Child’s board of directors, because of recent demands from the OLPC to quit Intel’s competing project, called Classmate PC.

Classmate PC is Intel’s low-cost mini-laptop, geared for school children. Intel confirmed that the OLPC board asked it to stop supporting non-OLPC platforms.

The chipmaker initially resisted joining OLPC, which currently distributes a $200 mini-laptop called XO that is powered by a microprocessor from Intel’s chief rival Advanced Micro Devices.

Intel eventually joined OLPC’s board last year, and there was discussion about an Intel-powered version of the OLPC’s mini-laptop, as well as a version running an ARM processor. OLPC said its relationship with had Intel broken down and cited a lack of cooperation on Intel’s behalf.