Intel has been pumping out a Classmate PC reference design since early 2008. These netbooks are the company’s response to the OLPC XO Laptop, and are designed as durable, relatively low cost machines that are ideal for classroom settings. The earliest models weren’t all that exciting, but over the years Intel has spruced things up with a larger keyboard and touchpad and a touchscreen display and swivel allowing you to use the netbook in tablet mode.
Today at CeBIT, Intel introduced the newest version of the Classmate PC.
The new model has a 10.1 inch touchscreen display, a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N450 processor, and a rubberized case with a handle allowing you to carry the netbook like a handbag. The computer has a resistive touchscreen (read: no multitouch) and comes with a stylus that fits inside the case.
The webcam at the top of the display can be rotated, which means you can use it whether the Classmate PC is in tablet or notebook mode.
Intel doesn’t actually manufacture the PC itself. Instead, you should start seeing OEMs and distributors start selling the new Classmate PC models next month.
You can check out a hands-on video of the new Classmate PC from Netbook News after the break.
via Engadget
The versatility in these machines are outrageous. My brother has a computer store, and the high turn around in the innovation is mind boggling to say the least! I like your info., and I linked to it on my site! Very nice!
Network Marketer Professional
Thats the most impressive little tablet netbook yet in my opinion. Just have to wonder, couldn’t it have gotten a Wacom screen?
And, could the buttons on its face be made to function as ctrl and alt? These modifiers allow the stylus to be far more useful…
Screw the kids- I want one!
It looks nice. It looks like some thing that would be very useful; IMO. The handle will make it easier to carry around. Reading ebook text books on it would be easier on the students backs than carring all those heavy textbooks.
Resistive can be multitouch, look at the viliv S10 blade which has a resistive multitouch screen.
Regardless of it’s design, this will be the best inking experience on any 10″ netvertible. They use a ‘hard’ resistive touch screen that doesn’t accept even the pad of your finger, much less a palm.
That actually looks like fairly good industrial design, and it may be a useful system. Hmm. I look forward to buying something like that for my child in a few years.
LOL Any hopes of getting American schoolboys to utilize this product will evaporate if it is described as coming with “a handle allowing you to carry the netbook like a handbag.”
If they said ‘carry it like a briefcase’, it would appeal to boys?
Nah, probably only if they said it was the phatest, sickest s–t on the planet ; )