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ClassmatePC posts

Archos rolls out Archos 10s, Archos 13 laptops, Classmate-based student PC

by Donald Melanson posted Jun 11th 2009 at 1:08PM

Archos's new Windows 7-based Archos 9 tablet may be the headliner at today's event in Paris, but the company's also taken advantage of the opportunity to expand its laptop / netbook offerings, which have so far been confined to one. Those include the previously announced Archos 10s "MiniPC," which hangs onto some mostly identical specs to the Archos 10 but packs 'em in a slimmer and lighter package, and the all new Archos 13 (pictured above), which is a full-fledged 13-inch ultraportable with a 1.2GHz Celeron ULV processor and some fairly standard specs across the board. As if that wasn't enough, Archos has also partnered with France's Ministry of Education to make a Classmate-based laptop available to students in the country, which will also include a one-year subscription to an online course service for about $400. Still no word on price for the Archos10s, unfortunately, but it'll apparently be available later this month in both three-cell and six-cell versions, while the Archos13 will run about $800 when it rolls out closer to the end of the summer.

Read - Archos 10s
Read - Archos 13
Read - Archos Press Release [Warning: PDF link]

[Thanks, @charbax]

Update: ArchosLounge has already made the rounds of the event and provided a few hands-on pics of all the goods. Head on past the break for a quick look at the Archos 10s and Classmate PC, and hit up their site for some more shots and details.

Continue reading Archos rolls out Archos 10s, Archos 13 laptops, Classmate-based student PC

Doraemon netbook has all the American kids perplexed

by Darren Murph posted Mar 12th 2009 at 7:09PM

Not sure what exactly Doraemon is? Haven't heard all the rage over it in Japan? Fret not, as this here netbook is definitely none of your concern. If you just so happen to be in the opposite camp, you'll certainly take interest in knowing that this Doraemon-splashed rig has been spotted in Taiwan, and so far as we can tell, it's just a beautified version of the Classmate PC. Regrettably, there's no word on actual specifications, and we're hoping and praying the ¥48,000 ($497) price tag we're seeing is a horrific typographical error. Even if not, we're still tempted -- just don't tell anyone.

[Via PortableMonkey, thanks Peter]

CTL 2go Convertible Classmate PC reviewed: good enough for big people, too!

by Laura June posted Jan 17th 2009 at 3:20PM

Just days after its arrival on the market, Laptop Magazine's had some in person time with the CTL 2go Convertible Classmate PC. They found the little convertible tablet -- which has an 8.9-inch resistive touchscreen (with 1024 x 600 resolution) -- to be a more grown up version of its predecessor, heavier than other, similarly-sized netbooks, and they love the overall aesthetics of it. It falls a little short in a few categories: they found the 60GB hard drive to be "sluggish" and the keyboard to be "cramped," but overall, they're pretty into the Classmate, even going so far as to suggest that adults might just be covetous of the netbook. Hit the read link to check out the full review which, incidentally, is written entirely in crayon. (Note: totally kidding. We write in crayon, though. Sometimes).

CTL's 2go classmate PC now available

by Laura June posted Jan 12th 2009 at 2:02AM

We know you've been waiting around here all week to hear this news, and so here it is. The 2go convertible tablet Classmate PC we've been hearing about for nearly a year, and which we fully expected to make its official debut at CES has done just that. The 8.9-inch, 1024 x 600 screen-boasting tablet's got a 1.6GHz Atom 270 CPU, 1GB of RAM, a 60GB HDD and 802.11b/g/n WiFi. You can grab the Windows XP version now for $549 -- no word yet on Linux.

Video: Intel's convertible Classmate PC hands-on

by Ross Miller posted Jan 10th 2009 at 6:11PM

It's been five months since we first heard about the convertible Classmate PC, and now we've finally gotten a chance to get our hands on it at the Intel booth. It feels pretty durable -- especially that kind of important display swivel -- but we take issue with how lopsided the weight is towards the back. The Quick Launcher Windows XP shell lives up to the name and is indeed very fast and easy to navigate. When we rotated the tablet on its side, however, the interface awkwardly fills in only the top half. According to the rep, there's no US distributor yet for retail. Glamor shots in the gallery, or check out video after the break. Is it too much to ask for capacitive multitouch next time?

Gallery: Intel's convertible Classmate PC hands-on at CES 2009

Continue reading Video: Intel's convertible Classmate PC hands-on

Intel delivering Classmate PC netvertible tablet at CES 2009

by Darren Murph posted Dec 16th 2008 at 2:18AM

The FCC totally blew the cover of Intel's 8.9-inch convertible Classmate PC, but apparently the outfit doesn't even care. In fact, it's so anxious to get the word out that it's already showing off a pre-production rig. Reportedly, the outfit will be teaming up with longtime partner CTL in order to ship its first batch of education-minded netvertibles in January, and no, the traditional Classmate PC won't be going anywhere. The newcomer is said to have an impressively sturdy chassis, and the blue on white motif is much less sickening than the previous greenish / yellow abomination. Additionally, we're told that it'll come packing a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 CPU, a 60GB HDD and Windows XP. Tap the read link for a nice gallery of shots.

Intel's convertible Classmate PC barely makes it to FCC class

by Darren Murph posted Nov 22nd 2008 at 10:18AM

Although the third-generation Classmate PC looked completely unprepared for the real world comin' out of IFA, Intel has clearly hit the books during the fall term. Now, the convertible Classmate has graduated to the FCC, where we're shown a user's manual, label ID and a smattering of pathetic images. If you're thinking this bugger's just on cruise control until diploma day, you've got another thing coming, but we have heard that it's taking a job on US soil right after the holiday break.

CTL's 2go netvertible gets reviewed

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Nov 6th 2008 at 2:58PM

Remember that CTL 2go netvertible we hepped you to in the heady, hazy days of mid-October? The folks over at Laptop Magazine have taken a good look at a demo model (the color of "yellow-lime green hospital sheets," apparently) and were cool enough to share their thoughts with us. The device gets kudos for its durability, with the spill-resistant keyboard, shock mounted hard drive and detachable handle earning some points, but the cramped keyboard was deemed less than praiseworthy. When functioning as a tablet, the accelerometer is said to be responsive, so reorienting the screen is a breeze -- although the reviewer did choose to install a few freeware apps to compensate for the fact that Windows XP Home is less than tablet-friendly. If everything goes according to plan, the Linux version of the tablet should retail for $499, with a Windows XP Home version costing about fifty dollars more. Hit the read link for the full review and an exciting video of the appliance in action.

CTL's 2go Classmate PC netvertible due in January for under $500

by Paul Miller posted Oct 17th 2008 at 1:50PM

CTL's sticking with the "2go" branding for its next-gen Classmate PC, but it's not hard to spot the difference: it's a convertible tablet. We've seen hands-on shots of the Intel concept a couple times before, but now CTL's starting firm up some details for its own OEM version, and even sent along a few new live shots of the device for our enjoyment. The specs are unsurprising for a netbook-style device (we suppose the proper term is "netvertible" now, yes?) with a 1.6GHz Atom 270 processor, 1GB of RAM, 60GB HDD and 802.11b/g/n WiFi, but the departure is in the tablet functionality. The 8.9-inch, 1024 x 600 screen handles stylus and finger input, swivels flat for slate usage, and has an accelerometer for orienting the screen and potentially other (read: games) usage. The webcam swivels from back to front as well. CTL's hoping to have an XP Pro version of the laptop available, but if Microsoft has its way we'll probably be looking at a Vista Home SKU at retail (CTL's existing Classmate PC sells at Costco and Amazon.com), in addition to a Linux version for more direct sales.

Gallery: CTL's 2go Classmate PC netvertible due in January for under $500

Brazilian exhibition shows off low-cost laptop prototypes of old

by Darren Murph posted Oct 14th 2008 at 9:20AM

Hard to believe it's been over two years since we wrapped our noodles around the Intel Eduwise and the OLPC XO, and while the average Atom-powered netbook has practically swiped the limelight, the low-cost laptop still holds a special place in our hearts. So it's with great joy that we present this mystical tour through the genealogy of the Classmate PC. On hand are a number of prototypes, a non-working mockup and a version of the Eduwise that actually retains the bulk of its hardware in the rear of the LCD. Heck, there's even a bright blue convertible in there that could probably give Doom a run for its money. Unfortunately, the writeup is in translated English, but chances are the images will do the bulk of the speaking to your soul.

Intel's convertible Classmate PC gets the hands-on treatment

by Donald Melanson posted Aug 21st 2008 at 2:13PM

We already got a decent enough look at Intel's new convertible Classmate PC when it made its debut at IDF yesterday, but if you're looking for a slightly more thorough examination of it, you may want to hit up Laptop Magazine, which got a chance to spend some time with the device and offer some initial impressions. As is even more apparent in these pics, the hardware is very much not finalized, with it sporting some mismatched parts and some components that may or may not make it into the final version. That said, they do seem fairly impressed by the laptop, with the built-in accelerometer working well, and the included "Quick Launcher" software shell making Windows XP considerably more accessible to students, and adults for that matter. Hit up the link below for the video hands-on and, of course, plenty more pics.

Intel shows off next-gen, convertible Classmate PC

by Donald Melanson posted Aug 20th 2008 at 5:01PM

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.

Continue reading Intel shows off next-gen, convertible Classmate PC

Portugal signs up for 500,000 Intel Classmate laptops

by Nilay Patel posted Jul 30th 2008 at 11:37PM

Looks like Intel's clearing out all its Classmate inventory in preparation for that new model -- it just inked a deal with Portugal for 500,000 of the chubby gray laptops. The Classmates will be manufactured in Portugal as part of the deal, and the final subsidized cost to students will vary based on each family's income, with a max of €50 ($78). Kids should be getting their new machines at the start of the new school year, so it looks like things should be moving along quickly here.

More netbooks on the way from Lenovo, Sylvania and Intel

by Donald Melanson posted Jul 30th 2008 at 5:52PM

It looks like the number of netbook hold-outs just keeps on dwindling, with Lenovo and Sylvania now entering the fray, and Intel coming back for another kick at the can. While details are light on Lenovo's offering, the company is reportedly looking at launching it as soon of September of this year, and it'll apparently be targeting both consumer and enterprise markets with it. Sylvania, on the other hand, is going squarely after the average user with its new "g netbook MESO" (pictured above), which it'll apparently be offering in addition to its recently announced Cloudbook iteration. This one is said to boast an 8.9-inch display, along with the usual 1.6GHz Atom processor, an 80GB hard drive, a built-in card reader, a webcam, and your choice of Windows XP or Ubuntu Netbook Remix for an OS. No word on a price just yet, but the lack of SSD would seem to suggest it'll be on the lower end of things. Lastly, we have word that Intel is already hard at work on the third version of its Classmate PC, although the company apparently isn't going any farther than to say that it'll have a "new look and feel," and that it'll get both hardware and software upgrades. And really, is there anything more you need to know than that?

Read - Out of the Box, "Sylvania to enter expanding netbook market"
Read - DigiTimes, "Lenovo to launch netbook by the end of September" [Via Electronista]
Read - Crave, "Third-generation Classmate PC on its way"

Daewoo Lucoms hops in low-cost laptop game with Lukid

by Darren Murph posted Jun 24th 2008 at 11:39AM

Daewoo Lucoms is no stranger to building smallish computers, but it seems to have taken a few obvious design cues from Intel's 2go PC when crafting its own Lukid. According to the firm's site, this kid-friendly PC includes a 900MHz Celeron M ULV processor, 512MB of DDR2 RAM, a 9-inch display, 30GB hard drive and Windows XP Home Edition. There's also two USB jacks, audio in / out, WiFi, Ethernet and a rather unsightly (though quite useful, we imagine) carry handle. Expect this one to land in South Korea for around ?549,000 ($531), though we haven't heard a peep in regard to availability elsewhere in the world.

[Via AVING]