Classmate PC
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Classmate PC | |
Manufacturer | OEM |
---|---|
Type | Subnotebook |
Connectivity | 10/100M Ethernet WLAN 802.11b/g |
Operating System | Windows XPE Linux |
Media | 1GB NAND flash memory |
Input | Keyboard Touchpad |
Power | 6-cell Li-ion battery |
CPU | Celeron M Mobile Processor 915GMS + ICH6-M |
Memory | 256MB of DDR2 RAM |
Display | 7 inch diagonal LCD 800 x 480 |
Dimensions | 245 x 196 x 44 |
The Classmate PC, formerly known as Eduwise, is Intel's entry into the market for low-cost personal computers for children in the developing world. It competes with the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) trade association's Children's Machine (XO), which aimed to redesign all of the software and hardware along educational principles. In support of its entry, Intel has publicly dismissed the XO as a 'gadget' [1], and has argued that the developing world wants to have generic PCs.
Contents |
[edit] Intel World Ahead Program
Intel’s World Ahead Program aims to bring technology to the developing world. The current crux of of the World Ahead program is the Classmate PC.
The World Ahead program's public spokesman is Craig Barrett, Chairman of the Board of Intel. The Classmate PC is a reference design by Intel. Intel will not build the subnotebooks, but will instead build the chips that power them. The reference design is then used by OEM manufacturers worldwide to build their own branded Classmate PCs.
[edit] History
Because the OLPC project's Children's Machine is powered by AMD's Geode processor, Intel decided to create the Classmate in competition containing its own processor. The prototype units feature a basic 7 inch LCD screen. [2] The Classmate PC, in contrast to the OLPC, includes a Trusted Platform Module (TPM)[3] to provide any local Windows XP Embedded installation with access to hardware-based DRM. This reflects the different goals of the two projects: where Classmate aims to provide "uncompromised technology" that fits into the larger, primarily Windows-based, computing environment, [4] OLPC aims to provide children with a Free and open-source software environment they can modify for themselves [5], to "learn through doing". [6]
Intel announced that it is in discussions to supply 300,000 laptops to the Mexican government, and the Brazilian government is evaluating whether to buy Intel's or the OLPC's laptop[7]. The Brazilian government is announced that it would use the Linux operating system regardless[8] of its decision on hardware. It has been confirmed that Intel will be shipping the Laptops with Mandriva Linux, Discovery 2007 edition [9].
Oscar Clarke, President of Intel do Brasil, delivered 30 production units to the Brasilian Ministry of Education (MEC), for evaluation by SERPRO (Federal Data Processing Service of Brazil). [10]
[edit] Pricing
Intel has announced that its device will cost 400 United States dollars, versus $150 for the OLPC XO device. It is expected that Intel will also preload the computer with educational software.
[edit] Technology
[edit] Hardware
The reference hardware specifications as of September 28th 2006 are:
- Customized mini chassis 245 x 196 x 44
- CPU: Intel® Celeron M mobile processor (915GMS + ICH6-M)
- CPU clock speed 900 MHz (Zero L2 cache 400 MHz FSB)
- 800 x 480 7 inch diagonal LCD, LVDS Interface, LED B/L
- 256MB of DDR2 RAM
- 1GB NAND flash memory (connected via USB)
- 10/100M ethernet
- Realtek WLAN 802.11b/g with antenna (connected via USB)
- Intel GM915 integrated graphics chip (8MB shared memory)
- Built in microphone
- Built in stereo speakers
- Stereo 2 channel audio, jacks for external stereo speakers and microphones, Line-out, and Mic-in
- Integrated keyboard with hot keys
- Cycle touch pad with left and right buttons
- Customized Note Taker with wireless pen
- TPM1.2 (Trusted Platform Module from Infineon Technologies)
- Power source:
- 6-cell Li-ion battery with adapter – approximately 4 hours usage
[edit] Software
Intel has announced that its device will run either Linux or Windows XP Embedded. Intel's reference prototypes have been supplied with a basic version of Windows XPE.[11]
Intel have been working with Mandrivia to customize Mandrivia Linux for the Classmate.[12][13]
[edit] See also
- Children's Machine (XO), also called the $100 Laptop Project
- Tianhua GX-1C, part of a line of affordable machines developed by Sinomanic in China
- Longmeng or Dragon Dream is a low-cost computer being designed in China
- OpenBook Project, a project functionally similar to the Children's Machine
- Simputer is an earlier project to construct cheap handheld computers in India
- VIA pc-1 Initiative a project of VIA Technologies to help bridge the digital divide.
- Wizzy Digital Courier: Internet access for rural schools via USB stick
- Edubuntu: A free Linux distribution designed specifically for use in schools and home classrooms
[edit] References
- ^ http://web.archive.org/web/20051212065117/http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/SP263515.htm
- ^ http://www.trustedreviews.com/notebooks/review/2006/09/28/Intel-Classmate-PC-EXCLUSIVE/p1
- ^ http://download.intel.com/intel/worldahead/pdf/classmatepc_productbrief.pdf?iid=worldahead+ac_cmpc_pdf
- ^ http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdownload.intel.com%2Fintel%2Fworldahead%2Fpdf%2Fclassmatepc_productbrief.pdf%3Fiid%3Dworldahead%2Bed_cmpc_pdf&ei=ZPkLRvrhLZOKjAGyztzqAQ&usg=__589pYuqT_ROC4a1YW3cBbWFspbo=&sig2=X_zrKXFB7p1xeYXAwHNgsg
- ^ http://www.laptop.org/laptop/software/
- ^ http://www.laptop.org/laptop/software/benefits.shtml
- ^ http://news.digitaltrends.com/article11875.html
- ^ http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20061206-8371.html
- ^ http://www.linuxelectrons.com/news/mobile/intels-classmate-mobile-pc-ships-south-america
- ^ http://www.serpro.gov.br/
- ^ http://www.trustedreviews.com/notebooks/review/2006/09/28/Intel-Classmate-PC-EXCLUSIVE/p2
- ^ http://www.desktoplinux.com/news/NS4146178789.html
- ^ http://www.olpcnews.com/software/operating_system/mandriva_classmate_linux.html
[edit] External links
[edit] News articles (by date)
- Engadget: Brazil's first Intel Classmate PC given to President of Brazil - March, 03 2007
- Engadget: Classmate PC specs - September 28, 2006
- Trusted Reviews: Exclusive Look at the Eduwise - September 28, 2006
- Laptopical's Overview of the Eduwise Notebook - May 05, 2006
- Technology News Daily:Intel Eduwise Notebook - May, 03 2006
[edit] Multimedia
- wcitvideo.com - video of the Intel Eduwise prototype - June 3rd, 2006
Initiatives: Children's Machine | Classmate PC | Digital Textbook | Longmeng | OpenBook | PIC | Simputer | Tianhua GX-1C | VIA PC-1