Intel shows off next-gen, convertible Classmate PC

Intel wasn't exactly all that forthcoming with details about its next-gen Classmate PC when the subject last came up (describing it only as having both hardware and software upgrades), but it looks to have dropped its guard at this week's IDF, with it not only dishing out details, but an actual unit as well. As you can see, this one's a convertible, but Intel is quick to point out that it's not the Classmate 3.0 some have been expecting -- it'll apparently exist alongside the current generation model. Also, as you might have guessed, there's not a lot of surprises in terms of specs, with it boasting the same 1.6GHz Atom processor as every other netbook out there, along with an 8.9-inch 1024 x 600 display, an SD card slot, a pair of USB ports, and an SSD drive of unspecified size. Intel is apparently still promising to provide a few more details a bit later on but, in the meantime, you can bide your time by digging into the pics available at the link below.

Update: Check out a video from Intel after the break, and even more pics at jkkmobile.

[s1pacrat @ Aug 20th 2008 5:10PM]

love the new comment system!

anyway, it seems that the tablet form factor would be great for a netbook... hopefully it will cost something reasonable.

[Lowest Ranked @ Aug 20th 2008 5:20PM]

The comment system is just as shitty as ever. It just looks different to make fools like you think they did something about the problem.

[adam.plante @ Aug 20th 2008 11:19PM]

Yes, but does it blend?

[McFly @ Aug 21st 2008 1:36AM]

aaarrhhhggg i can feel the pain, please desist from using that phrase

[diode3diode @ Aug 20th 2008 5:18PM]

Nice job Intel!
When in class, I always hate it when one of my classmates (no pun intended), in front of me, opens up their laptop when taking notes. It's hard to concentrate on the lecture when someone is always refreshing their screen and such. Having a convertible like this for young students helps students concentrate more on the lecture on hand.

[Bryce @ Aug 20th 2008 5:24PM]

I really like the handle that they put on this. I wish more notebooks/netbooks would incorporate that into their designs.

[Paulo Cesar @ Aug 20th 2008 5:57PM]

Tablet netbook!!! Hooray! That's all that I want for a notebook :)

Will this thing be actually usable for drawing?

[Dubb @ Aug 20th 2008 6:20PM]

Gateway has one, forget the model name off the top of my head, I'll see if I can find it.

[wickedpheonix @ Aug 20th 2008 7:12PM]

will it even have a pen? Let alone active digitizer?

[Bhavishya Kanjhan @ Aug 21st 2008 4:37AM]

Gateway M912

[Dubb @ Aug 20th 2008 6:12PM]

This is terrible, why do these companies stick the Shift key right there!?!? This would be so annoying to type on. I guess technically it's not competing against other Sub-Notes, but still. So far only MSI, Acer, and HP have gotten the keyboard right. Even Lenovo stuck the right shift in the same spot, same with Dell. Fail.

[Bosco @ Aug 20th 2008 6:17PM]

Napolean Negroponte is going to be, like, so pissed. How dare Intel steal his idea.

[Stephen @ Aug 20th 2008 7:45PM]

Several interesting points:

1] Not bad... why do they think only kids would use this? I know a lot of adults that are rougher with equipment than children.
2] Did you hear the noise on that thing? The fan on that thing was on overdrive.
3] I thought XP Tablet was not available anymore. Clearly it was running XP and they specifically said it was using palm rejection for handwriting. Sounds a lot like XP Tablet to me.

I'm looking forward to a lot more info on this device.

[MarcC @ Aug 25th 2008 9:15AM]

It's ugly, please change that horrible design, it's not the 90's anymore