Quanta-PixArt deal for optical-touch tech

BANGALORE, INDIA: A memorandum of understanding has been inked between leading contract notebook computer maker Quanta Computer and chip designer Pixart whereby Quanta would provide optical touch ASIC designs to PixArt to be used in all-in-one LCD PCs and notebook-related products supporting Windows 7.

According to the companies, relevant optical touch computing products will be released before the 2009 year-end holiday season.

Optical solutions are believed to be more competitive in terms of costs when compared to resistive touch technologies now available.

PixArt’s CMOS optical touch technology would be a more cost-efficient solution than rival touch technologies such as capacitive and resistant technologies, especially when used in PCs with screens bigger than 10 inches, said PixArt.

A Taipei Times report added that Quanta has been into the development of touch technology for the past three years. It will now begin deployment of the technology in optical-touch range of products. PixArt has said that the utilization rate of the optical-touch technology would see an uptrend starting this July.

Industry sources believe that the optical-touch enabled notebooks and all-in-one PCs will hit dealerships just ahead of Christmas. PixArt has confirmed this in a note to the Taiwan Stock Exchange.

PixArt had earlier been working with a major Asian original design manufacturer to build application specific integrated circuits that integrate touch capability in PCs and laptops.