14 DAY TRIAL // The OLPC laptop project is finally entering mass production and it may very well mark the start of a new trend in the computer industry, as consumers will find out that they can do their normal day activities (sooo sorry, not gaming allowed) using a hardware platform that costs only a tiny fraction of the most advanced systems on the market today. Intel - following the OLPC's example - designed and manufactured a low cost laptop that will compete against the XO machine even if Intel recently joined the OLPC board of directors.
Intel's cheap laptop is named the Classmate PC and it is aimed at the computer markets from developing countries. While similar in design and target market with the XO, the Classmate PC is also very different. The first thing that comes to mind is the price, while the XO costs $175 and runs free and open source software, the Intel build machine starts at $225 and tops at $350, a variant that comes with Microsoft Windows XP and Office. Another big and important difference from the XO is that the Classmate offers a wider range of software and hardware configurations. Users may choose from Linux or Windows XP and on the hardware side, there are multiple choices to be made: 256 or 512 MB of RAM, 1GB or 2GB of solid state drive (SSD for short) storage device. The display comes in two standard sizes, 7 and 9 inches, with a native resolution of 800x480 and the multimedia features integrated into the laptop are the headphone and mic jacks, speakers, while the networking part is represented by the 802.11b/g Wi-Fi and an Ethernet jack. Additional components can be attached using the two included USB ports.
According to Intel representatives, cited by the site Crave.cnet the Classmate PC laptop is powered by a 900MhZ ultralow-voltage Celeron processor, while the internal battery pack should provide enough power for a three hour use. While the mini keyboard is very similar to the other ones found in other laptops, the rounded touch screen is a novelty. Just like the OLPC's machine, the Classmate PC was designed to be very sturdy and it is built into a semi-rugged housing and includes a slightly padded removable cover that also acts as a handle for easier transportation and protection.
While the $350 machine is not very far from the lower end products of many laptop manufacturers, the Classmate PC is still an impressive sight, even more so since Intel plans some hardware and software upgrades for the next year.