Renaissance Launches the Neo2 Stripped-Down Educational "Laptop"

Renaissance Learning is a company specialized in the development of various electronic learning solutions under its AlphaSmart brand, one of the most interesting such products announced by the company lately being the NEO 2 "laptop", a device that allows pupils to better interact with their teachers, without being distracted by the possibility of surfing the web.

The NEO 2 provides users with enhanced two-way communication through the use of radio frequency(RF) technology, which will maximize classroom participation, enable instantaneous formative assessment, and provide wireless printing from anywhere in the room. Moreover, the NEO 2 can also run a number of Renaissance Learning software programs (as for example 2Know! Toolbar for graphing-on-the-fly student responses, AccelTest for access to 8,000 content items) including the company's flagship product, Accelerated Reader.

The device from Renaissance Learning is compatible with Macintosh and Windows computers, as well as many IrDA-enabled and selected USB printers. Moreover, it supports QWERTY, Dvorak, Left and Right Handed layouts, and features a 5.75-inch x 1.5-inch LCD display that can be configured through six lines of text per screen, in order to respond to the students' requirements. The device also provides around 4 MB of software (SmartApplet) storage, and 512 KB of data storage, being powered by 3 AA alkaline batteries for up to 700 hours of typical use.

"We are extremely pleased to offer educators another easy-to-use classroom tool that helps them incorporate technology to accelerate learning by providing more targeted instruction, while saving valuable time," said Greg Wright, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Renaissance Learning's Electronics Division. "The NEO 2 is an essential element in teaching across the curriculum, from reading, writing, and math, to science, social studies, and beyond. And of course, it is major news that NEO 2 will run Accelerated Reader."

We are just a few, but there are many of you, Softpedia users, out there. That's why we thought it would be a good idea to create an email address for you to help us a little in finding gadgets we missed. Interesting links are bound to be posted with recognition going mainly to those who submit. The address is .