It seems like just yesterday that Intel announced a major update to its OLPC-not-quite-killer, the Classmate PC. Now the company is poised to shake things up for a second time this year. PC World is reporting that Intel will announce details of the Classmate 3 laptop next month.

While the Classmate 2 has a larger screen, more storage, and a higher price tag than the original Classmate, there’s absolutely no word on what changes we’ll see in the Classmate 3. I’m guessing it might be time for a processor upgrade. The current generation uses a 900MHz Intel Celeron chip. All we know at the moment is that the next generation of Classmate PC will include new hardware, software, and a new design.

As the name would suggest, the Classmate laptop line is aimed at educational, not consumer markets. But at least one company, CTL, has used the Classmate reference design to produce a consumer oriented laptop - the 2Go PC.

[via Eee PC.net]

If you’ve been wanting to get your hands on a Classmate 2 PC, but you’re not a student in a developing nation, there’s hope for you yet. Amazon has posted preorder pages for the CTL 2Go PC. This laptop is built using Intel’s Classmate 2 reference design, but unlike the original Classmate, you don’t need to order in bulk.

The 2Go comes in Linux and Windows XP flavors. The XP version will set you back $469, while you can pick up a version with Linux for $399.

Both machines ship with a 900MHz Celeron processor, 512MB of RAM, and a 40GB hard drive. They also sport a 9 inch 800 x 480 pixel display, a memory card reader, a 0.3 megapixel webcam, USB, Ethernet, and 802.11b/g connectivity.

In other words, the 2Go PC is a lot like the Asus Eee PC 701, but instead of a 7 inch screen you get a 9 inch screen, and instead of 4GB of solid state memory you get a 40GB hard drive. But the price (for the Linux version anyway) is about the same.

While plenty of web sites have put the HP Mini-Note, Asus Eee PC, and other low-cost ultraportables through the paces with benchmarks, comparisons of video performance, and startup times, the folks at Laptop Magazine have been asking another crucial question: Which ultraportable has the best keyboard? Laptop happens to have access to an Eee PC, Mini-Note, and a CTL 2Go PC, which is the first Intel Classmate 2 PC expected to hit the market.

Over the past six months or so, Asus, Everex, and HP have managed to bring low-cost ultraportable notebooks to market. But dozens of other computer makers have promised to bring out their own mini-notebooks. Some will run Linux, while others will be preloaded with Windows XP or Vista. Some will have flash memory, while others will have hard drives. But every one will be smaller, lighter, and cheaper than most existing laptop computers. Here’s a roundup of some of the computers that have been announced or are already available.

Asus Eee PC 701 The Asus Eee PC builds on the concepts originated by the OLPC XO Laptop and Intel’s Classmate PC. But unlike those low cost ultraportables, Asus has marketed the Eee PC to consumers since day one. And the success of the original Eee PC 701 has sparked a whole new trend in mobile computing.

• Processor: Intel Celeron 800 or 900MHz, underclocked to 571MHz or 630MHz
• RAM: 512MB to 1GB
• Storage: 2GB, 4GB, or 8GB solid state flash memory
• Display: 7 inch 800 x 480 pixel screen
• Expansion: 3 USB ports, 1 VGA output, 1 SDHC card slot
• Operating System: Xandros Linux or Windows XP
• Connectivity: Ethernet, 802.11b/g
• Webcam: 0.3 megapixels
• Weight: .92kilograms / 2 pounds
• Battery: 4 cell 4400mAh or 5200mAh battery for between 2 and 3 hours of battery life (with a claimed battery life of up to 3.5 hours)
• Price: $299 to $499
• Official Product Page
• Cheap, refurbished units now available on Amazon

Dreambook Light IL1 Australia’s Pioneer Computers announced the Dreambook Light IL1 back in February. And while it doesn’t sport a 9 inch screen or next generation processor, it’s sure pretty to look at.

• Processor: 1GHz VIA C7-M ULV CPU
• RAM: 512MB to 1GB
• Storage: 40GB to 80GB 1.8 inch PATA hard drive
• Display:7 inch 800 x 480 pixel screen
• Operating System: Ubuntu, Windows XP, or Windows Vista
• Expansion: multimedia card reader
• Connectivity:
• Webcam:
• Weight:
• Battery: 1.1 kilogram / 2.4 pounds
• Price: $499 Australian, or about $450 US
• Official Product Page

Everex Cloudbook Everex was the second company to release a consumer oriented subnotebook. But many feel that this product was poorly thought out and quickly rushed to market. Early models shipped with software that was not optimized for the computer’s small screen

• Processor: 1.2 GHz VIA C7 Mobile processor
• RAM: 512MB
• Storage: 30GB hard drive
• Display: 7 inch 800 x 480 pixel screen
• Expansion: DVI-I output, 2 USB ports, 4-in-1 media card reader
• Operating System: gOS Linux (based on Ubuntu)
• Connectivity: Ethernet, 802.11b/g
• Webcam: 0.3 megapixels
• Weight: 2 pounds
• Battery:4 cells
• Price: $399
• Official Product Page

HP 2133 Mini-Note In April, HP launched its Eee PC competitor, the HP 2133 Mini-Note. The computer has a sleeker, more professional look than the Eee PC or Cloudbook, but it also weighs close to three pounds, while the competition weighs just 2. The Mini-Note is also more expensive than the competition, but you get a larger screen and more storage for your money.

• Processor: 1GHz - 1.6GHz VIA C7 Mobile Processor
• RAM: 512MB to 2GB
• Storage: 4GB solid state flash memory or 120GB/160GB hard drive
• Display: 8.9 inch 1280 x 768 pixel screen
• Expansion: VGA output, 2 USB ports, Express Card slot, SD card slot
• Operating System: Windows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Business, or OpenSUSE Linux
• Connectivity: Ethernet, 802.11b/g, Bluetooth on some models
• Webcam: VGA
• Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Battery: 3 cells or 6 cells
• Price: $499 through $849
• Official Product Page

Asus Eee PC 900 The Asus Eee PC 900 is already available in Hong Kong, and is set to hit Europe and the US in the coming weeks. This is the second generation Eee PC and features some nice improvements like additional storage space, a larger display, and more RAM.

• Processor:900MHz Celeron processor
• RAM: 1GB
• Storage: 12GB or 20GB flash memory
• Display: 8.9 inch 1024 x 600 pixel screen
• Expansion:VGA output, 3 USB ports, SDHC card slot
• Operating System: Windows XP or Xandros Linux
• Connectivity: Ethernet, 802.11b/g
• Webcam: 1.3 megapixels
• Weight: .99 kilograms / 2.2 pounds
• Battery: 4400 or 5800 mAh 4-cell batteries
• Price: $549
• Availability: May 12th in the US, May 28th in France
• Official Product Page
• More Information

ECS G10IL This little computer has all the best features of the Eee PC 701, plus one extra treat: HSDPA support.

• Processor: Intel Atom CPU
• RAM: Up to 2GB
• Storage: 80GB hard drive or flash storage
• Display: 8.2 or 10.2 inch screen
• Expansion: VGA output, 3 USB ports, 4-in-1 multi card reader
• Operating System: Linux or Windows XP
• Connectivity: Ethernet, 802.11b/g, HSDPA or HSUPA, Bluetooth, and a 56k modem
• Webcam: 1.3 megapixels
• Weight: .92kilograms / 2 pounds
• Battery: 4 or 6 cell batteries
• Price: $500
• Official Product Page

Everex Cloudbook Max Asus isn’t the only company looking preparing to launch a second generation low-cost ultraportable. While Asus is building on the success of the Eee PC 701, you could argue that Everex is building on the failure of the Everex Cloudbook which hasn’t gained the traction the Eee PC has. But the Cloudbook Max does look like quite an improvement over the original Cloudbook, and might actually be worth considering.

• Processor: 1.6GHz VIA processor
• RAM: 2GB
• Storage: 80GB hard drive
• Display:8.9 inch 1024 x 600 pixel screen
• Expansion: VGA, S-Video output, 3 USB ports, 4-in-1 card reader
• Operating System:Windows Vista
• Connectivity: Ethernet, 802.11b/g, Bluetooth, GPS and WiMAX support
• Webcam: 2 megapixels
• Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Battery: 4 hour battery
• Price: N/A
• Availability: N/A
• Official Product Page

MSI Wind While MSI isn’t a household name, the upcoming MSI Wind laptop could change that. The computer has an attractive look, should be available as early as June, and skips over that whole “let’s put a 7 inch screen in a little computer” thing and matches the second generation Asus and Everex computers right from the get go.

• Processor: Intel processors between 1GHz and 1.6GHz
• RAM: 1GB
• Storage: 80GB hard drive
• Display: 8.9 inch 1024 x 600 pixel screen
• Expansion: 3 USB ports, VGA output, SD card reader
• Operating System: Windows XP Home
• Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth
• Webcam: 1.3 megapixels
• Battery:3 cells
• Weight: 1.2 kilograms / 2.6 pounds
• Price: Reportedly between €299 and €699
• Availability: Should be available in Europe in June. No word on a US release.
• More Information

Surcouf La Révolution French online retailer Surcouf plans to start shipping a new computer based on the VIA Nanobook reference design in May.

• Processor: 1.2GHz VIA C7 CPU
• RAM: 1GB RAM
• Storage: 60G hard drive
• Display: 7 inch 800 x 480 pixel display
• Connectivity: WiFi and Bluetooth
• Expansion: Optional webcam, 3G, and GPS modules
• Price: €399 /$624
• Availability: Scheduled to ship in France starting in May
• More Information
• Official Product Page

2Go PC The 2Go PC will likely be the first computer to market sporting Intel’s Netbook reference design for the Classmate PC 2. While this computer is intended primarily for educational use, CTL, the company behind the 2Go does plan to sell the laptop to consumers.

• Processor: Intel Celeron M 900MHz
• RAM:512MB or 1GB
• Storage:40GB 1.8 inch 4200 PATA hard drive
• Display: 9 inch 800 x 480 pixel screen
• Expansion: SD/MMC card reader, 2 USB ports
• Operating System: Windows XP or Linux
• Connectivity: 802.11 b/g with support for open mesh
• Webcam: VGA
• Battery: 4 cells, 3 hours battery life
• Weight: Less than 3 pounds
• Price: $400 to $500
• Availability: N/A
• Official Product Page
• More Information

3k Longitude This could be one of the least impressive ultraportables announced in recent times. When it was first announced, the machine reportedly has just 1GB of flash memory, although now the product page says 4GB. But the price has also risen from $399 to $499.

• Processor: 400MHz CPU
• RAM: 512MB
• Storage: 4GB flash memory
• Display: 7 inch 800 x 480 pixel display
• Expansion:3 USB ports, SD card reader
• Operating System: “Genuine Linux”
• Connectivity: Ethernet, WiFi
• Weight: Under 2 pounds
• Price: $499
• Availability: Late May
• Official Product Page
• More Information

ACi Ultra-mini It’s not clear whether the ACi Ultra-mini will be available outside of India, but I certainly hope so. This little computer features a solar panel that is suppose to help extend the machine’s battery life to as much as 12 hours.

• Processor: VIA 1GHz ULV
• RAM: 512MB to 2GB
• Storage: 40GB HDD
• Display:7 inch screen, with a touch screen in the higher end models
• Operating System: The pictures seem to show it running Windows Vista
• Connectivity: WiFi and Bluetooth
• Webcam: Yes
• Weight: N/A
• Price: Rs 15,000 which is less than $400 US to Rs 22,000 or $549 US
• Availability: N/A
• More Information

Airis Kira This computer seems to be built from the same reference design as the Nohrtec Gecko (see below), but comes in a variety of pretty colors.

• Processor: 1GHz VIA C7
• RAM: 512MB
• Storage: 2GB flash memory
• Display: 7 inch 800 x 480 pixel screen
• Operating System: Linpus Linux Lite
• Expansion: SD/MMC/MS/CF card reader
• Connectivity: Ethernet, 802.11b/g, 56kbps modem
• Webcam: Yes
• Weight: 1 kilogram, or about 2.2 pounds
• Battery: 4 hour battery
• Price: €299 or about $470
• Availability:N/A
• Official Product Page
• More Information

Blue Digital Systems Deep Blue Blue Digital Systems is a Philippine company that you’ve probably never heard of. It’s not clear if their Eee PC clone will be available outside of the Philippines.

• Processor: 1GHz VIA Esther CPU
• RAM: 1GB
• Storage:40GB hard drive
• Display: 7 inch 800 x 480 pixel screen
• Operating System: Linux or Windows XP Home
• Expansion: 2 USB, card reader
• Connectivity:Ethernet, 802.11b/g
• Webcam: Yes
• Weight:1.2 kilograms / 2.6 pounds
• Battery: 4.5 hours battery life
• Price: 16,995 Philippine Pesos, or about $405
• Availability: N/A
• Official Product Page

Elonex One The Elonex One is a low-cost notebook aimed at the UK market. What makes this computer unique are its low price and unique design: the keyboard snaps off and you can use the Elonex One in tablet mode

• Processor: Aday5F-300MHz x86
• RAM: 128MB or 256MB
• Storage: 1GB or 2GB flash memory
• Display: 7 inch 800 x 480 pixel display
• Operating System: Linux
• Expansion: 2 USB ports
• Connectivity: Ethernet, 802.11b/g (optional), Bluetooth (optional)
• Webcam: Optional 2 megapixel camera
• Weight: 950 grams (with keyboard) / 2.1 pounds
• Battery: 3 cell, 2200mAh battery
• Price: Starts at £100 or about $200 US
• More Information

Fukato Datacask Germany’s Fukato announced the Datacask in mid-April. This computer features a slowish processor, which might be great for battery life. But it also has a mediocre screen and storage capacity.

• Processor: 500MHz AMD Geode LX CPU
• RAM: 512MB
• Storage: 20GB 1.8 inch hard drive
• Display:8 inch 800 x 480 pixel screen
• Operating System: Linux
• Battery: 3 hours
• Price, availabilitym, and other info N/A
• More Information

HCL MiLeap X India’s HCL Infosystems is bringing two different computers to market under the MiLeap name. The MiLeap X is a low cost computer that looks like it uses Intel’s Netbook/Classmate reference design. The Y Series is a bit fancier, pricier, and looks more like a UMPC than a laptop. So we’ll just look at the MiLeap X here, but you can read more about both on Eee Site.

• Procesor: 900MHz Intel Celeron Processor
• RAM: 512MB
• Storage: 2GB flash memory
• Display: 7 inch 800 x 600 pixel screen
• Expansion: SD card reader, 2 USB ports
• Connectivity: 802.11b/g
• Battery: 6 cell battery good for 4 hours
• Weight: 1.44 kilograms / 3.2 pounds
• Price: $350

Jisus This little notebook with a funny name comes in a variety of colors, and that’s pretty much its selling point. But it looks like a respectable alternative to the Eee PC, and matches the original Eee PC almost spec for spec, with the exceptions of the screen size (but not resolution), processor and stated battery life.

• Processor: 1GHz 64-bit Loongson 2F
• RAM: 512MB
• Storage:4GB flash memory
• Display: 8.9 inch 800 x 480 pixel screen
• Operating System: Ubuntu Linux
• Expansion: 2 USB ports
• Connectivity:Ethernet, 802.11b/g
• Battery: “4.5 hours of wireless productivity”
• Price: £299
• Availability: May 25th
• Official Product Page
• More Information

Kohjinsha SCC This ultraportable will cost a few bucks more than some of the entry level low-cost notebooks. But its screen flips back so you can use it in tablet mode. And how can you put a price on that?

• Processor: 500MHz AMD Geode LX800
• RAM: 512MB
• Storage: 80GB hard drive
• Display: 7 inch 800 x 480 pixel screen
• Operating System: Windows XP Home (not tablet)
• Expansion: 2 USB ports, 3-in-1 card reader, VGA output
• Connectivity:Ethernet, 802.11b/g
• Weight: 945 grams / 2.1 pounds
• Price: Â¥59,800 to Â¥59,800 or about $592 to $780 US
• More Information

Medion Akoya Mini This is one of the newest entires, and one of the most intriguing. The Medion Akoya Mini has the polished look of the HP Mini-Note, but it will run the Intel Atom CPU and sport a 10 inch screen, which is about as large as you can go and still be considered an ultraportable

• Processor: 1.6GHz or 1.8GHz Intel Atom CPU
• RAM: 1GB or more
• Storage: 1.8 inch hard drive
• Display: 10 inch screen (unknown resolution)
• Operating System: Windows XP or Linux (unknown distribution)
• Expansion: 2 USB ports, memory card reader, VGA output
• Webcam: 1.3 megapixels
• Connectivity:Ethernet, 802.11b/g
• Price: €399 or about $640 US
• More Information

Noahpad The Noahpad is one of the wackiest ultrportables around. At first, it looks like a typical Eee PC clone. But upon closer inspection, you’ll realize that it has a unique keyboard that does double duty as a two-handed trackpad. While the computer has a native 800 x 480 display, you can use the trackpad to drag and drop the screen around and view a wider screen area. Honestly, this kind of thing just makes me dizzy.

• Processor: 1GHz VIA Eden C7
• RAM: 512MB
• Storage: 30GB
• Display: 7 inch 800 x 480 pixel screen
• Operating System: Ubuntu
• Expansion: SD card reader
• Connectivity: Ethernet, 802.11b/g, Bluetooth
• Webcam: 300k pixels
• Weight: .8 kilograms / 1.8 pounds
• Price: TBD
• Official Product Page
• More Information

Nohrtec Gecko This notebook is the fist I’ve seen which appears to run Linpus Linux Lite out of the box. Linpus is a light weight Linux distribution designed for computers with small screens. To be perfectly honest, it looks a lot like the easy mode interface Asus designed for the Eee PC.

• Processor: 1GHz VIA CPU
• RAM: 256MB
• Storage: 4GB flash memory or 40GB hard drive
• Display: 7 inch 800 x 480 pixel screen
• Operating System: Linpus Linux Lite
• Expansion: 3-in-1 card reader
• Connectivity:Ethernet, WiFi
• Price: Reportedly around $300
• Official Product Page

Proview Handbook PC-81001

This low cost PC from Brazil is a bit larger than some of the others on the list, with a 10 inch display. But it’s still cheaper than most full sized laptops, and easier to fit in your bag.

• Processor: AMD LX 800, 500 MHz
• RAM: 512MB
• Storage: 60GB hard drive
• Display: 10.2 inch 1024 x 600 pixel screen
• Operating System: Linux or Windows XP
• Expansion: VGA output, 2 USB ports, PCMCIA slot
• Connectivity:Ethernet, WiFi
• Battery: 2600 mAh battery with an estimated 2 hour battery life (if that’s what the company claims, I shudder to think what the actual battery life will be)
• Weight: 1.2 kilograms / 2.6 pounds
• Price: 800 Brazillian Reals, or about $482 US
• Official Product Page

Sungjut TangoX This computer seems to be built from the same VIA reference design used in the Everex Cloudbook. But unlike the Cloudbook, the TangoX packs a touchscreen display.

• Processor: 1.2GHz VIA C7-M ULV CPU
• RAM: 1GB
• Storage: 40GB - 80GB hard drive
• Display: 7 inch 800 x 480 pixel touchscreen
• Operating System: unknown
• Expansion: 4-in-1 card reader, DVI output, USB ports
• Connectivity: Ethernet, WiFi, removable SkypePhone
• More Information

Acer Acer is expected to show off its first entry into the low-cost ultraportable market at the Computex show in June. Here’s what we know so far:

• Display: 8.9 inches
• Price: Less than $300
• More Information (but not much)

Dell Dell CEO says the company plans to release an Eee PC competitor. While it’s not clear whether the Dell 500 will be that computer, the company has announced plans for a low-cost computer by that name in India, which could fit the bill.

• Operating System: Windows XP or Ubuntu
• Expansion: 8-in-1 card reader
• Connectivity: WiFi
• Price: Rs 24,500 or about $600

Gigabyte M912 Computer maker Gigabyte has also announced plans to develop a low-cost subnotebook. We first heard about the company’s intentions back in January, when it was said that Gigabyte would have something ready to ship by June. We haven’t heard much since then.

• Processor: 1.6GHz Atom processor
• Display: 8.9 inches
• Operating System: Linux or Windows XP
• Availability: June
• More Information
• Still More Information

Update: Cloudbook UMPC has a nice overview of several laptops based on the VIA Nanobook design. This is the same design used for the original Everex Cloudbook.

Intel has a word for cheap ultraportable laptops using Intel chips and reference designs: Netbook. But if you thought all Netbooks were going to look have the Fisher Price styling of the Classmate PC and the 2Go PC, think again.

A mystery Netbook made an appearance during a developer forum in Shanghai. CNet reports that an Intel executive showed off a computer that’s about as thin as a Macbook Air, but has a larger keyboard and screen than the current crop of Classmate/Cloudbook/Eee PC models.

There’s no word on who’s making the machine, if it’s designed for consumer or educational markets, or when it will be released, if ever. It does appear to be running Linux. If I had to guess, I’d say it’s running Linpus Linux Lite or a similar distribution designed for small screen devices and Linux novices. There’s also no word on the pricing, but if this is truly a Netbook, odds are it should be closer to $500 than to the MacBook Air’s $1800 starting price.

[via Eee PC News.de]