The controversial One Laptop Per Child project, which aims to provide children in the developing world with access to $100 laptops, has fallen out with Intel.

Although machines shipping now - to Libya, Brazil, Argentina and Thailand - are based on AMD chips, the OLPC was in talks to base a future version of the laptop on Intel processors.

Intel confirmed to reporters that it had left the project, but refused to give details. OLPC president Walter Bender said the row was not just about Classmate laptops. He said relations broke down because of "a complete lack of cooperation by Intel on software, learning etc", according to IDG. He accused Intel of treating the project as just another market.

Intel only joined the project in July 2007 and relations before that were frosty. In May 2007, Negroponte said the chip giant should be ashamed of itself for selling its Classmate machine for less than it cost to make in order to undermine OLPC's XO machine.

OLPC has struggled to control the total cost of its machine, which is now creeping towards $200. ®

Related stories

• IDF Intel Classmate PC turns tablet (21 August 2008)
• Microsoft readies XP for One Laptop Per Child computer (28 July 2008)
• OLPC and Microsoft punt Windows-only XO laptop (16 May 2008)
• OLPC's a con - former insider (16 May 2008)
• OLPC sweet talks Microsoft (24 April 2008)
• IDF Intel enrols second-gen Classmate PC (3 April 2008)
• Alabama admits developing country status (6 March 2008)
• OLPC czar shames Intel into board seat (13 July 2007)
• Negroponte slams Intel over OLPC competition (21 May 2007)