Intel Dumps Rich Creek 2 Whitebooks For Peggy's Cove

"Once Rich Creek 2 transitions out it will be gone," Maser said. Intel told partners in late December that it would continue to support Rich Creek 2 systems but would not continue to develop the platform, a decision that coincided with Intel's shuttering of its Channel Platform Group.

Seneca Data's Nexlink Carbon 4200 is the new face of Intel's whitebook program.

An Intel spokesperson said in mid-December that the Rich Creek 2 platform would "continue to ramp as planned."

Seneca, based in North Syracuse, N.Y., launched two new 15-inch Nexlink Carbon notebooks Monday based on a mobile platform, code-named Peggy's Cove, Intel's latest attempt to develop a North American whitebook ecosystem. Over the years, that's proven to be a tall order for Intel -- the chip giant has tested a series of platforms and initiatives to jump-start a whitebook channel that would theoretically compete with Tier 1 notebook manufacturers the way makers of custom desktops and servers do.

But Intel's whitebook agenda has gone forward in fits and starts. Rich Creek 2 is only the latest program that's been reeled back in as the chip maker tries another approach with partners. The Verified By Intel program for validating notebook components for its whitebook channel was also reeled in considerably about 17 months ago.

Seneca was one of three partners in Intel's pilot program for Rich Creek 2, which was formally launched at last April's Intel Solutions Summit (ISS) for North American channel partners. At this year's ISS being held in Las Vegas this week, Seneca is the sole system integrator on board with the new Peggy's Cove initiative and used the forum Monday to launch its pair of Nexlink Carbon notebooks.

Next: Nexlink Carbon Specs