Intel unveils tablet Classmate PC design

First announced last year, Intel has finally unveiled the design for a new tablet version of its Classmate PC designed for use in schools. Although positioned as a netbook--complete with Intel Atom, the ability to swivel the display 180 degrees around will allow manufacturers to incorporate touch screen displays to use the Classmate PC as a tablet. In a statement on Friday, general manager of Intel's emerging markets platform group, Lila Ibrahim noted, "Education is one of the best ways to improve the future for individuals, villages or nations."

The success and progressive improvements made to Intel's Classmate PC come as a stark contrast to the woes suffered by the OLPC (One Laptop Per Child) organization, which pioneered the concept of cheap laptops for underprivileged school children. The popularity and low prices of nettops such as the Asus Eee PC are starting to make the OLPC proposition much less attractive. In a blog post last week, the OLPC announced a reduction of its team by approximately 50% with salary reductions for the remaining 32 people left.

To read more on the article:
- check out this article from ZDNet
- check out this blog post from the Official Blog of the OLPC

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