Intel announces 2nd generation Classmate PCs

by Giovanni Glass April 3, 2008 11:00 pm Permalink
396 views Filed under: Atom, Classmate PC, Intel
Source: zdnet, dailytech, Intel, Amazon, 2gopc

At the Intel Developer Forum in Shanghai, China, Intel has announced the 2nd generation Classmate PC. Andrew Chien, Intel vice president, Corporate Technology Group and director of Intel Research, said, "Only 5 percent of the world's children today have access to a PC or to the Internet. Education is one of the best examples of how technology improves our lives. We have seen how technology helps teachers create fun learning experiences more efficiently. We have also been touched by children's excitement when they are inspired by technology. The Intel-powered classmate PC is one of the ways we support the IT industry in spreading the benefits of technology in education for children around the world."

The new Classmate PC can can take 4GB flash or up to 30GB PATA hard drive. The classmate now supports mesh networking like the OLPC. It's not known how 3rd party applications will take advantage of this. A 0.3 megapixel webcam is available as an option. A nine inch screen is also available although the resolution is still 800x480. Windows Vista is still not available for the Classmate, only Windows XP. Windows XP is scheduled to cease of all OEM and retail sales this June 30, 2008. However Microsoft has announced that all ULCPCs (Ultra Low Cost-Cost PCs) such as Asus's EeePC, OLPC with Windows, Intel's Classmate will be the exception.

Although Intel recently announced their new Atom processors, the new Classmate doesn't make use of them.

Intel will license the reference design to 3rd party vendors who will sell versions of the Classmate to consumers. The CTL 2goPC is one of the first vendors to sell the Classmate. Starting at $400, the new Classmate PC is not close to the OLPC's $188 price tag. It does compete with the Asus EeePC which is $399 and is comparable in feature set.

Here is a comparison chart of the first and second generation Classmate.

	First Generation	Second Generation
Processor	Intel ® Mobile Processor ULV 900 MHz, Zero L2 cache, 400 MHz FSB	Intel ® Mobile Processor ULV 900 MHz, Zero L2 cache, 400 MHz FSB
Chipset	Intel ® 915GMS	Intel ® 915GMS
Memory	DDR -II 256 MB or 512 MB	DDR -II 256 MB (Linux only) or 512 MB
Storage Device	1 GB Flash (for Linux), 2GB	1 GB Flash (for Linux), 2GB/4GB Flash, 1.8 HDD
Operating Systems	Windows XP Professional / Linux	Windows XP Professional / Linux
LCD	7" 800 x 480 color LCD	7" 800 x 480 color LCD 9" 800 x 480 color LCD
Network	10/100M Ethernet + 802.11 b/g WLAN with Antenna	10/100M Ethernet + 802.11 b/g WLAN with Antenna, Mesh
Keyboard/ Touchpad	Water Resistent Keyboard and Touchpad	Water Resistent Keyboard and Touchpad
Power Solution	6 cells Li-on battery, 4 hours usage time	6 cells Li-on battery (5 hours) 4 cells Li-on battery (3.3 hours)
Audio	Integrated 2 channel audio	Integrated 2 channel audio
Speaker/ Microphone	Built-in speaker and microphone	Built-in speaker and microphone
Dimensions	245 x 196 x 44 mm	238 x 195 x 42 mm
Weight	1.45 Kg	1.27Kg - 1.49Kg
System I/O	2 x USB 2.0 ports, 1 SD slot	2 x USB 2.0 ports, 1 SD slot
Camera (Optional)	None	30fps @ 640x480, 0.3M
Digital Pen (Optional)	Pegasus Note Taker	EPOS

ZDNet has a short video review.

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