Intel generation 3 Classmate PC

The world’s leading chipmaker, Intel Corp made public, their netbook computers at the Consumer Electronic Show held at Las Vegas last week. Many companies showcased their netbook models from flashy to pricey ones, at this 4 day show. Though most netbooks had touch screen abilities, Intel were the first to announce that they would be showcasing the touch screen display netbooks as early as last year.

Intel Corp’s Generation 3, Classmate PC, Netbook computers, is education oriented and targeted at students. According to Intel, the technology can be beneficial for poor nations wherein it can improve the health and education services. In their words, it is targeted at emerging markets. This netbook PC will be manufactured by local PC makers in various countries where they have operations.

Like the previous model, 3rd  generation classmate PC is powered by 1.6 GHz processor.  It runs on low power Intel Atom chip and has 1 GB of RAM. The design looks very similar to the previous one, the generation 2 Classmate PC, but the Generation 3 Classmate PC has a touch screen display, very innovative. So you can use a stylus or your finger almost like your mobile phone. The 8.9 inch screen with 1024 x 600 pixel display can swivel and fold so that it can be used as a tablet PC. The key board is full, though a bit cramped and has a regular clamshell design. It even has a palm recognition that lets you rest your palm. It works with windows XP, so should be familiar to most users. It has a webcam which can rotate up to 180 degrees. From the first look at it, it seems to be one cool netbook to own if priced correctly.

This touch screen, tablet styled, convertible PC, has a rugged design and gives a strong yet sleek look and seems to be good enough to survive a few falls and scuffle. It has a handle at the back of it for holding and writing names which does mar the overall look. Still at this price, it’s a good bargain. The price is tipped to be somewhere around £ 365 in UK.  In United States, it is said to cost around $ 549.

Though aimed for educational markets, Intel will be selling this netbook PC to retail customers also with eight of its partners, to countries like UK, Australia, France, and Chile and of course, USA.