[rjsw]

Intel don't own the design of the GPU, they can't release the specs.

This is a non-story, Atom versions following this one will be able to run Linux fine.

[Iv]

Intel had the power to ask for that in the negotiations and did not. Deciding to still ship the product in these conditions is therefore purely an Intel decision.

[jeltz]

Interesting, do you know who the owner of the specs is?

[gvb]

Likely Imagination Technologies (PowerVR http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PowerVR)

Ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atom_%28system_on_chip%29

See also http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=MTA1N... which talks about Intel's plans to drop PowerVR and go back to an internal (Intel) design:

The future SoC that's expected to introduce the new graphics is "Silvermont" and expected availability by early 2013. Before the exciting Silvermont there is expected to be the "Clover Trail" Atoms released this calendar year, but it doesn't sound like that SoC will bear new graphics capabilities. I hope to have some more details soon and am very excited to see Intel do away with the PowerVR graphics and its horrific driver support.

[rjsw]

Imagination Technologies, the GPU is a PowerVR one.