Intel announces specs, production dates for Classmate PC

More news is coming from the Intel Developers Conference: yesterday we found that wireless USB was launching for realz, and now Intel is supposedly ready to drop its sub-$400 notebook for "emerging markets" across the globe. While it seems the company is flaunting one of these every few months, the Classmate PC has actually grown some roots (and a production schedule to boot) from its Edu-Wise beginnings. The ultraportable will house an (unspecified) Intel Celeron M processor, 7-inch 800 x 480 LCD, 256MB of DDR2 RAM, 1GB of NAND goodness, and a (hopefully non-explosive) 6-cell Li-ion battery. No details were revealed regarding the ports or connectivity options, but at least this unit isn't powered by a pull-string, right? Packing a Windows XP embedded OS, the machines are slated to hit full scale production in "Q1 2007," and orders have reportedly already been placed by governments in Mexico, Brazil, Nigeria and India (they've found a winner, apparently). Manufacturing is supposed to be handled by Taiwan's Uniwill Computer, but considering its about to undergo a takeover by Elitegroup Computer Systems, and how sketchy these foreign "order commitments" can become, we're not exactly holding our collective breath for things to roll out without a few setbacks.

[Via TGDaily]

[telepheedian @ Sep 28th 2006 3:32PM]

Why are we giving these to poor countries, who need basic education equipment, instead of the US, who already has the basics and is ready to go to the next level.

They should also consider selling these to consumers, it would make a great internet tablet/hackable device.

[Todd @ Sep 28th 2006 3:36PM]

Making little African kids use Windows qualifies as child abuse.

[Adey @ May 21st 2007 5:20PM]

it works on Linux too.

[Chanonry @ Sep 28th 2006 3:50PM]

"Why are we giving these to poor countries, who need basic education equipment, instead of the US, who already has the basics and is ready to go to the next level."

I don't think that intel is planning on giving these things away. And who the hell are you to say that Brazil and India are not ready for educational computers.

Perhaps given the standard of US literacy it might be better for American schools to go back to basics.

[whatevas @ Sep 28th 2006 3:55PM]

second that!

[BatteryAcid @ Sep 28th 2006 3:56PM]

Good point Tood
Looks ok, but god its fugly. Its got the 90s look.
It looks like their copying the OLPC.

[mp3elv @ Sep 28th 2006 4:38PM]

they are just doing this to stop the OLPC , why? simple OLPC uses the Intel's competitor processor (AMD) and obviously got to embed Windows XP (WINTEL FTW!) cos OLPC brings Open source with Linux on it, think about it, they gotta stop that the future of those developing nations taste freedom on the computer sense, it's better to tie them to establishment before it's too late you know, after all they are future consumers, god forbid they want to use a linux based OS in the future, so better to shove wintel on them right now even if they gain very little (cos they wont lose at all!).

[Matt O @ Sep 30th 2006 10:08AM]

thats the way business is man, you cant give them crap about it

[Mark @ Sep 28th 2006 4:59PM]

Does it say "color" screen? Pea green display, "welcome to the eighties" developing nations. And yes it is a blatant attempt to beat that OLPC Fisher Price looking thing.

[Ben Kessler @ Sep 28th 2006 5:13PM]

I've got a great emerging markets laptop idea: Celeron M processor, full version Windows XP home, 512MB RAM, 40GB HD, CD Burner, Wi-fi, 14" WXGA LCD display - all this for only $499. It's called a Dell B130!

Either an extra $100 dollars buys you an exponentially more useful laptop (at a profit on the open market!), or Microsoft and Intel are getting together and finding PR-friendly ways of further screwing emerging markets. Which one is it?

[Spencer Wallman @ Sep 28th 2006 6:02PM]

I was thinking the exact same thing! I'm also sure that if a country came along to dell and said "I'd like to purchase 100,000 units", that price would come down a lot.

[Chris @ Oct 27th 2006 6:04PM]

Because these are meant to be bought in bulk, and $100 more, when multiplied in the millions, is a lot of money. Besides, these "emerging markets" do not need full sized screens or lots of memory for what these are going to be used for. Education is the idea, not gaming.

[warning_me @ Jun 25th 2007 11:25PM]

I just want to agree with you. And besides the government agencies will just use those to get more money for themselves.

[Marvin @ Sep 28th 2006 6:16PM]

cool

[Marvin @ Sep 28th 2006 6:16PM]

cool

[Thinker @ Sep 28th 2006 9:16PM]

This thing is going to drain the resources of a lot of African nations � they are way overpriced! Think about it: Retail = $400. Profit = Wholesale $325 - Production & other costs $125 = $200. Now if Intel sells 5 million to these governments, their profit is $1 Billion.

But then again, Intel may be trying to lower expectations with these high prices, but when the time comes, they�ll go way down. Overall, I think it is good that both Intel and others are thinking about providing computing resources to kids in developing nations. For this, they should be applauded.

[Derrick @ Sep 28th 2006 10:35PM]

This is how I see it. After spending $400 on the hardware, you cannot update Lose XP embedded easily. The XPE software will be stale within a few years. With OLPC's choice of Linux, it can be update with a simple script and this will keep the purchase fresh for a long time to come. This is just another useless attempt by the Wintel camp to bait the market.

[Squee @ Sep 29th 2006 11:18AM]

I see putting Windows on the laptops the same as brain washing all the poor third world countries with Catholism during the last century or two. They will grow up thinking that Windows is the only operating system and that it is ok to accept an OS that constantly crashes when trying to write a letter. Wouldnt it be cheaper to put an open source OS on these machines. It would make it cheaper, and just better all round. I wonder what the Indian is for *Windows has preformed an illegal operation*, and whether they will have the call centres in the UK instead of their own country.

[Michael @ Jan 3rd 2007 2:46PM]

I see putting Windows on the laptops the same as brain washing all the poor third world countries with Catholism during the last century or two..... I think it would be helpfull to have actually been to africa before you make these comments.23 years in africa and 10 years in the UK,go into any ratail shop in this country and ask for an operating system other than windows and you will soon be very popular.

[timbobsteve @ Oct 1st 2006 6:13PM]

It is true, this thing IS just a bad attempt at countering the OLPC. $400 ? really... wow... OLPC was original $100... now, with price increases it is still only going to cost aprx. $140. Unless Intel markets these at Uni students with no taste, I can't really see this winning over the OLPC in developing nations, especially since the OLPC's interface (codename: sugar) is designed from the ground up to be a usable education-oriented interface. I would hardly think WinCE's BSOD's count as interface enhancements!

[Phillep @ May 11th 2007 8:39PM]

The author making the crack about the laptop not being powered by a pull string has never lived where the only electricity availible was a dead flashlight battery.

Yes, there are places like that here in the US.

[bim koronica @ May 21st 2007 8:46AM]

nice.

[Clay Roberts @ Jun 14th 2007 4:53PM]

Intel is no longer in my computer vocabulary. They should not put profit above all else. Anything with he Intel logo will not see my credit card nor cash, however, what's wrong with the improverished in the U.S.

[tang @ May 19th 2008 9:22PM]

I tested this camera for a client. I didn’t have the light running for more than 15 minutes. The battery lasted approximately 6 hours before recharging. The LCD, however, had a few dead pixels - never saw this before. Tried returning for exchange and had to put up quite a fight. Anyone else seen this? http://www.batterylaptoppower.com