Intel Targets Schools With Classmate Tablet Laptops

Intel has launched a new convertible "Classmate" laptop that can double as a tablet PC in the UK as from next month which will be sold directly to schools and through Amazon and Argos. It is likely that the Classmate will be sold through Education tech specialists like Elonex.

The Classmate design first came to light as a direct response to the $100 laptop, originally called OLPC and later XO. Classmate version 2 is build by Computer Technology Link and comes with a rotating screen that easily converts from a traditional laptop format to a resistive touchscreen tablet.

The device is built around an Intel Atom CPU and comes with 1GB RAM, a 60GB hard disk drive, a card reader and a 8.9-inch LCD screen capable of displaying 1024x600 pixels. CTL offers a choice of either Windows XP Home or Linux with one year warranty on parts and labour.

Nokia Will Make Laptops By 2011

Nokia's CEO Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo has confirmed that the company will be manufacturing and selling mobile computers but failed to confirm whether they will be netbooks or traditional laptops (or something in between).

Kallasvuo, who was appearing in a television interview with Finnish TC Channel YLE, said that Nokia could be looking at a device that merge the functionalities of a PC and a mobile handset.

The timing of the news, just one week after the Mobile World Congress, shows that Nokia is reacting to the invasion of traditional PC manufacturers like Acer which have announced eight new smartphones.

Others like Lenovo and HP have also injected fresh new blood in their (almost) defunct PDA range while Dell and a few others could be going in the market sooner than expected.

Back in August 2008, we suggested that Nokia could join LG in launching a rebadged Netbook by exploiting its powerful relationship with mobile networks to push its model

Orange Adds HP and Toshiba Laptops To Its Broadband Range

France Telecom owned mobile phone provider, Orange, has announced that it will be adding two new laptops to its mobile broadband offer including a HP Compaq Mini 700 which reminds us of the old (very old) Contura Aero series.

The Mini 700 is on offer at Orange for £30 a month while the Toshiba L300 which is a proper traditional full size laptop is available for £35 per month. Both of them come with 3GB worth of data allowance per month for a 24 month contract.

The Compaq netbook has a 10-inch display with a thinner than usual bezel, a 1.6GHz Atom CPU, 1GB memory and a 60GB hard disk drive. It seems to be designed for right hand users as the touchpad is situated to the left of the palm rest.

As for the L300, it is a rather old (6 month) bog standard, 15.4-inch laptop powered by an Intel Dual Core 1.73GHz CPU, 1GB memory, a webcam and a 160GB hard disk drive. Orange also sells the Asus 901 EE PC for under £25 a month but it is currently out of stock