Classmate PC
The classmate PC from intel basically derives the idea from the OLPC project itself. It was formerly announced as EduWise and now known as classmate pc. Intel was initially against the whole idea behind OLPC but later joined the team on july 2007 and is expected to collaborate in a new $100 laptop project which is using intel microprocessor as the brain ( the original $100 laptop is using an AMD microprocessor ).
But it was a short lived relation as Intel was discontinued from the project on January 2008.
Intel is on the side of supporting a low priced laptop which is capable of running both windows XP and Linux and there will be natural fear from companies like Intel that the $100 laptop project will be a business challenge to any companies that sell laptops .
Using windows as the primary operating systems than a product that is restricted to Linux has many advantages. First of all it gives a student to get in touch with a gadget that almost feels like a normal computer in case of operating system and application software. It is obvious that normal business industry uses Microsoft products as their primary Operating system , the learning curve can be drastically reduced.
Intel is making this classmate PCs as are of their world ahead program to manufacture low cost laptops. Even though the project was initially targeting students it is apparent that it is a normal computer that can be used by a normal user too. After all anyone like the idea of getting a laptop computer at half the price of competing products and getting more battery backup and ruggedness .
The use of flash memory instead of regular hard disk drive also make it more robust by avoiding the mechanical parts. Intel is not selling the laptops directly under their brand name but decided to sell to to OEM’s who will market it at their countries at their brand names.
The technical specifications of the Intel classmate PC is here :
mini chassis 245 x 196 x 44
CPU: Intel® Celeron M mobile processor (915GMS + ICH6-M)
CPU clock speed 900 MHz (Zero L2 cache 400 MHz FSB)
800 x 480 7 inch diagonal LCD, LVDS Interface, LED B/L
256MB/512 of DDR2 RAM
1GB/2GB NAND flash memory (connected via USB)
10/100M ethernet
Realtek WLAN 802.11b/g with antenna (connected via USB)
Intel GMS915 integrated graphics chip (8MB shared memory)
Built in microphone , Built in stereo speakers
Stereo 2 channel audio,
Integrated keyboard with hot keys
Cycle touch pad with left and right buttons
Customized Note Taker with wireless pen .
Now let us check a prototype of Classmate PC in action
Bootup Screen :
