Mobile Tech Minutes: Intel Classmate Convertible PC
I am a sucker for small Tablet PC form factors and have often thought that such a form in a netbook would be pretty sweet. Intel sent me their netbook designed for students and I have to admit it’s a pretty darn good Tablet. The Classmate PC comes in two forms, a typical notebook clamshell and the convertible model which I just received for evaluation. The screen swivels 180 degrees so the Classmate can be used as a notebook or a slate and it is well-designed.
This video was shot literally minutes after the Classmate showed up at Mobile Tech Manor so you get to delight along with me as I discover new things about it. The evaluation unit is configured as follows:
1.6 GHz Atom
1 GB memory
60 GB HDD
8.9″ touchscreen (palm rejection); 1024 x 600 (auto-rotate)
2 USB; 1 Ethernet; 1 VGA; Audio in/ out
1.3 MP webcam (rotates 180 degrees)
Windows XP Home
Nice but shame about the VGA connection. It’s damaging because the more laptops there are with VGA, the more projectors and displays there are with VGA, and so the more other laptop makers are encouraged to use VGA rather than modern connections. There’s no reason Apple should be so many years of PCs in getting rid of obsolete connections; Intel needs to take more of a lead here.
I’m curious about the implications of installing Windows 7 on a machine like that. Any ideas?
Regarding the handle, the first notebook I has was a Compaq Armada 1120, and it had a handle a bit like the one on the Classmate. It was so useful I couldn’t understand why other makers didn’t put something similar on their machines.
Do you know if Intel are actually planning to make and sell that Classmate, or is it basically a reference design for someone else to make and sell?
Great review there!
Looks awesome!
@ CSMR: Projectors are very expensive, so I can’t see schools replacing them with HDMI/DisplayPort Compatible ones anytime soon. I agree with you, but VGA is just too practical, and it gets the job done for most projectors in a business or academic environment.
@ Allan Jones: 1.2 GHz is probably a little slow for a full version of Windows 7, but I’d go for it anyway, assuming you max out at 2 GB RAM.
@ JK: How about the Gigabyte M912 convertible nettablet? It’s been out for half a year, is available with a hi-res screen, hi capacity battery, 2 MiniPCI-E slots, and runs a legally purchased copy of OS X handily. Hopefully the 10 inch version already available for order will sport a more usable keyboard.
@BWilliams – Don’t think the Gigabytes have palm rejection. A quick search of the web shows that people are having some issues with this. Hope they make this Classmate Convertible soon!! I’d get it to replace my Acer Aspire One.
Is this the same as the PEEWEE netbook?
How much does it go for?
Yes, it is the same and is $599.
My kids and I think the review was good. They really want one each, since they don’t share well. The price is a bit steep for kids but so many features…
Thx.
How much have you used this? I am interested in buying one for my son, but have heard a few complaints and very few reviews from anyone who has actually used one.
How does the palm negation/ touch screen work for a left hander?
Does the auto-rotation work when it is not plugged in? I heard that it fails when the battery gets below 90% – is this true?
Does it ever lock up?
Thanks