Qualcomm and Intel are apparently considering rescuing Sharp and its LCDs from the gutter by investing upwards of $378 million in the joint, not enough money to salvage the place.

Japan's Kyodo News said Intel might be persuaded to invest $378 million-$500 million in the company. It could also be a joint investment though Intel appears to be less ra-ra about the idea than Qualcomm despite its Ultrabook touchscreen interests according to Reuters.

Sharp has arranged a loan from two Japanese banks to keep it afloat through March 2014.

The company is now producing one of the highest pixel density screens to date, a 5-inch screen with a resolution of 1,080 x 1,920 pixels, yielding a pixel density of 443 pixels an inch. The iPhone 5 has a pixel density of 326 pixels an inch.

Apple gets iPads and iPhones displays from Sharp.

Sharp could theoretically provide Intel Ultrabooks with its power-saving IGZO displays.

Sharp's TV business is in decline and it's carrying a $13.8 billion debt load.

Taiwan's Hon Hai has been talking to Sharp with no results although Sharp has lost 75% of its value this year.

Sharp agreed in March to sell a 9.9% position to Foxconn, a deal upset by a drastic fall in Sharp's value.