Because VIA doesn't have to spend money on building and maintaining expensive factories, its operational costs are lower and savings can be passed on to its customers. For chips, VIA's closest production partner is Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp., Taiwan's biggest chip maker. VIA has yet to sign up anyone to manufacture the Information PC itself, but says negotiations are under way with several computer makers. According to analysts, VIA is talking to Hewlett-Packard, Dell and Compaq, among others. But for VIA, the biggest catch would be China's Legend Group.
Legend is the largest PC maker in a country with one of the world's fastest-growing PC markets.
And like VIA, Legend has been trying to figure out how to sell more PCs to Chinese consumers. Many are well educated but have low incomes. That is why VIA and Legend should be natural partners. Each has what the other needs. Legend already uses VIA chipsets in its PCs.