Via Technologies, a Taiwan-based manufacturer of motherboard chipsets and CPUs (Central Processing Units), announced on March 10 that there are already over 200 partners enlisted in its GMB (Global Mobility Bazaar) Alliance, Taiwan's Economic Daily News reported. The GMB Alliance was formed in Shenzhen, China, by Via Technologies, Microsoft, AMI (American Megatrends), ITE Technologies, SanDisk, as well as various Chinese manufacturers and infrastructure partners. The alliance was established with the aim to help white-box PC manufacturers develop netbook PC, notebook PC, and mobile devices based on Via CPUs and chipsets. Thus far, notable alliance partners include Taiwanese small- and medium-sized LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panel makers Innolux and HannStar, rear-end assembler Kinpo, and memory module manufacturer PQI.

The GMB Alliance is expected to roll out its first netbook PC in May 2009. It will be a mainstream 10.1- or 10.2-inch model, with a price tag of 1,999 RMB (US$292.35; US$1=6.84 RMB), according to a report by Taiwan's Commercial Times. Meanwhile, Via Technologies is slated to host the Via GMB Tech Forum Spring on March 17 in Shenzhen, at which there are expected to be live demonstrations of turnkey netbook PC solutions.