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

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It’s not just big-name PC makers that are pushing out new netbooks with Intel Atom N450 processors. Intel’s education-oriented Classmate PC is also getting a spec bump. The Classmate is a reference design which is marketed and sold by a number of different computer distributors, including M&A Technology, which has a product listing for the next-gen version of the laptop.

The new model features a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N450 Pine Trail processor, 1GB of RAM, and a 160GB hard drive. It has a 10.1 inch 1024 x 600 anti-glare display, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, Ethernet, a 1.3MP webcam and a multi-format flash card reader, as well as 3 USB ports and a VGA output.

The updated Classmate PC has a 6 cell, 4400mAh battery and a much larger keyboard and touchpad than earlier, smaller versions of this laptop. It’s also a bit heavier, at about 3.6 pounds.

The laptop sells for $449 with Windows XP loaded, although the notebook is also Windows 7 capable.

thanks ninetynine!

This morning Nokia and Best Buy announced that the retailer would be the exclusive distributor of the Nokia Booklet 3G in the US. There’s still no final word on pricing, and since the Booklet 3G comes with an integrated 3G modem, I’m guessing it’s going to sell for far less than the $800 price that’s been floating around. But Nokia has made it clear that in areas where you can purchase the laptop without a 3G service plan, that’s the price.

Today Randall Bennett and CNet’s Erica Ogg and I got together to discuss the prospects for an $800 netbook. It was also an opportunity to test out the webcam on the CTL 2go Classmate E10 netbook, which I used for my end of the conversation. You can check out the video from today’s TechVi video show after the break.

For some reason, the video was rather glitchy during the first half of the show. It’s not clear if the problem was on my end or Randall’s (He was recording the call). But during the second half the video is pretty darn good for a webcam that comes with a laptop designed for children.

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The CTL 2Go Classmate E10 isn’t just the largest Classmate PC yet. It’s one of the largest 10 inch netbooks I’ve seen. It’s not quite a behemoth next to relatively large machines like the Asus Eee PC 1000H. But it certainly ain’t small.

Since I happen to have a few 10 inch netbooks in my office this week I snapped a few photos of the latest Classmate PC with an Eee PC 1000H and Dell Inspiron Mini 10v.

As you can see the Classmate is significantly thicker than the other netbooks, thanks to its semi-ruggedized case. And if you take the handle into account, there’s no comparison when it comes to size. But even without the handle, it takes up a little more room on a desk than the other two laptops.

As I mentioned recently, the up shot is that the CTL 2go Classmate E10 is the first Classmate PC with a 90% full sized keyboard that’s comfortable for adults. But since the netbook isn’t actually built for adults, that might not really be that important. The laptop measures 10″ x 8″ x 1.5″ and weighs about 2.8 pounds. You can read more about it in the Liliputing Product Database or check out more photos after the break.

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CTL is introducing its next generation 2Go PC, the 2Go Classmate PC E10, and it’s the first member of the 2Go family to feature a 10 inch display. For anyone who’s been keeping track, the 2Go PC line basically consists of rebranded Intel Classmate PCs. The Classmate is Intel’s answer to the OLPC XO Laptop. It runs Windows XP and it’s targeted at eductional markets in both developed and developing nations.

I honestly had no idea until recently that there was a reference design with a 10 inch display floating around. But having spent a few days with the 10 inch version of the 2Go PC, I can tell you one thing: The larger screen makes a world of difference. Actually, let me rephrase that. I kind of couldn’t care less about the display. But with the larger display you get a much larger keyboard.

Earlier models had keyboards that were about 77% full sized. The 10 inch model has a 90% full sized keyboard which is comparable to those found on 10 inch netbooks from HP, Lenovo, Samsung, Acer, Asus, and MSI. While the larger keyboard might not matter too much to a third grade school student, it makes a huge difference if you’ve got adult sized hands. And while the 2Go PC is targeted at schools, it will also be available for anyone to purchase directly from CTL or through a handful of online retailers.

The new 2Go PC has an MSRP of $449, but schools and school districts that order in bulk will likely be able to pick it up for about $100 less. The base model has a 10.1 inch, 1024 x 600 pixel display, 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 keyboard, 1GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive, 802.11b/g/n WiFI, and runs Windows XP Home. It measures 10″ x 1.5″ x 8″ and weighs 2.8 pounds and has a 6 cell, 4400mAh, 47.52Whr battery.

The laptop has a number of features that make it ideal for use by younger students. While it’s a bit thicker than your typical netbook, it has a sturdy plastic case that feels like it can take a beating or survive short falls with ease. The 2Go PC also has a built in handle which, unfortunately, is not easily removable. The laptop also includes Intel’s Blue Dolphin program launcher, an eBook reader, PDF reader, webcam software, Microsoft Works, and a PowerPoint viewer.

You can check out more photos and a short video overview of the hardware and software after the break.

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If the Daewoo C920 netbook looks familiar, that’s because it’s basically a rebranded Intel Classmate 3 PC machine. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. The Classmate PC reference design makes it easy for PC makers to mass produce cheap touchscreen devices that can function as either a notebook or tablet PC. The laptop features a touchscreen display that can be folded down over the keyboard.

Like other Classmate PC models, the C920 features a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 CPU, 1GB of RAM, and a 60GB, 4200rpm 1.8″ hard drive. It ships with Windows XP Home Edition, but I have a feeling we might see a version with Windows 7 in the not too distant future.

My one complaint about these Classmate 3-based computers is that the keyboards are unnecessarily small and difficult to type on. But since they’re targeted primarily at school children, who tend to have smaller fingers than I do, this might not be that big a problem.

You can read our review of a similar netbook, the CTL 2Go PC convertible tablet for more details.

via Akihabara News

At least two new companies are launching netbooks aimed at children and based on Intel’s Classmate PC convertible tablet reference design. In other words, the PeeWee Pivot Laptop and the new netbook from Archos (PDF Link) are pretty much identical to the CTL 2Go PC released earlier this year.

They all have the same 8.9 inch touchscreen displays, and 1.6GHz Intel Atom processors. They also have tiny keyboards that are really much better suited to children with small hands than adults who are used to full sized keyboards.

You can read my review of the CTL 2Go PC convertible tablet for more details.

via Laptop Magazine and Blogeee

The Classmate PC is Intel’s answer to the OLPC XO Laptop. Whereas Nicholas Negroponte and his colleagues built the XO around a low power CPU, Linux operating system, and special screen designed for outdoor reading, the Classmate is designed to look and feel like a more traditional laptop running Windows XP – only smaller.

In 2008, Intel says 700,000 computers built on the Classmate PC reference design were shipped in 2008. And the company expects to ship more than 2 million Classmate PCs this year.

In January, Intel unveiled the Classmate 3, which features a convertible tablet style design allowing users to type on a keyboard or interact with the netbook using a touchscreen and stylus or fingertip. But companies are still selling lower priced Classmate 2-based computers without touchscreen displays.

The Classmate PC is aimed primarily at students in developing and developed nations. According to DigiTimes, Intel is aggressively targeting China, Europe, and Southeastern Asia.

You can read my review of the CTL Classmate PC based on the Classmate 3 reference design here.

Netbooks have come a long way over the last 18 months or so. The first netbooks to appear had 7 inch displays, Celeron processors, and tiny hard drives or solid state disks. Today most mini-laptops have faster, more power efficient CPUs, additional storage, and larger screens and keyboards. If you’re bargain hunting though, those older models are still around. And they’re dirt cheap.

Amazon is selling the original CTL 2Go PC for $205. This machine is based on the original Intel Classmate PC reference design. It has an 8.9 inch, 1024 x 600 pixel display, a 900MHz CPU, 512MB of RAM, a 40GB hard drive, and runs Windows XP Home Edition.

It’s worth pointing out that this machine was designed primarily for children. The case is semi-rugged, which helps it withstand drops of several feet. But that also means this isn’t the smallest or lightest netbook around, and the keyboard is designed for people with very smal fingers, which could make typing a chore after a few minutes for adults. Still, it’s hard to beat the price.

via LogicBuy

Because it’s not good enough to make cheap durable mini-laptops with small screens and keyboards for kids, a company called KuroKids has slapped some cartoony goodness on a Classmate PC.

The Doraemon netbook looks like a standard second generation Classmate PC, which means it probably has an 8.9 inch, 1024 x 600 pixel display, a 1.6GHz Intel Atom CPU, and a hard drive. It does not have the touchscreen and tablet features found in Intel’s Classmate 3 reference design.

It sells for the equivalent of about $488 US, but I don’t expect to see it for sale in the states anytime soon.

via Portable Monkey and x-gadget