Our schooldays were all pens, paper and clips around the ear, but these days da yoot need to be equipped with a full range of computer skills to take on the outside world, and with that in mind the new Classmate+ netbook has been released.
Developed as an initiative between Intel and Lenovo, the latest model from the Classmate initiative targets the educational segment and has been designed with the rough and tumble of schools in mind.
They’re quite smart looking affairs too, with an integrated handle and natty two tone finish.
The laptops feature a rugged, drop-protected exterior and a spill-resistant keyboard for warding off the inevitable Coca Cola spills, while inside lurks an Atom N455 CPU accompanied by the Intel NM10 Express Chipset.
There’s a 10.1″ LED backlit TFT LCD display, built-in speakers, three USB 2.0 ports, four in one card readers, 1.3MP webcam, built in stereo speakers plus LAN and Wi-Fi.
The netbook comes with either 1 or 2 GB RAM, with storage options including a16GB SSD unit or 250GB HDD, while battery options ranging from 3 hours with the standard 3 cell battery up to 9 hours with a 6 cell battery runnign a SSD model.
Schools only
Like previous Classmate PCs, this netbook won’t be sold directly to the public but is intended for selling in bulk to educational institutions or agencies primarily in poorer regions.
Already, 158,000 units are set to be deployed in Buenos Aires shortly, so who says the netbook is dead, eh?
Press release:
Lenovo and Intel® Extend Digital Learning with New Lenovo Classmate+ PC
Brings schools effective, affordable PC technology as part of Intel Learning Series
First PC deployment of 158,000 to improve learning for students in ArgentinaRESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. and SANTA CLARA, CALIF. – March 10, 2011: Today, Lenovo and Intel Corporation announced the Lenovo Classmate+ PC, a purpose-built laptop designed to improve learning for students in grades K-8.
The Lenovo Classmate+ provides schools an affordable, child-friendly complete hardware and software solution. Based on the Intel Learning Series reference design, the PC will come pre-loaded with the Intel Learning Series software suite, specialized educational software and a variety of teaching resources. This spring, the Organization of Ibero-American States will deploy the first wave of 158,000 Lenovo Classmate+ laptops as part of its Conectar Igualdad 1:1 computing program, which will equip students throughout the country with PC technology.
“As the fastest-growing PC company in education, we are committed to creating education solutions that improve schools’ efficiency, as well as leading initiatives to evaluate how technology can measurably improve learning outcomes,” said Michael Schmedlen, Director of Worldwide Education, Lenovo. “Our work with Intel to offer products like the Lenovo Classmate+ PC will create more opportunities for K-8 administrators, teachers and students to realize the benefits of technology-enriched 1:1 learning experiences.”
“Lenovo is the first multi-national company to offer the Intel Learning Series classmate PC for the global education market,” said Kapil Wadhera, General Manager, Education Market Platform Group, Intel. “We are thrilled to welcome Lenovo to the Intel Learning Series Alliance and to work with them to extend the platforms to benefit more students and teachers around the world.”
Intel Learning Series Momentum Continues
Since its introduction, more than 3 million Intel-powered classmate PCs have shipped globally. The Lenovo Classmate+ laptop is designed for how children learn, based upon years of Intel’s ethnographic research in education and Lenovo’s heritage in this segment. The PC combines a modern design with ruggedness, full PC functionality and enhanced performance. The configurations pass rigorous testing with their drop-resistant exteriors and spill-resistant keyboards.The Lenovo Classmate+ PC offers a full computing experience, equipped with an Intel® Atom™ processor, Ethernet and WiFi Internet connectivity, Windows 7 operating system and high-capacity storage up to 250 GB or solid state drive options. It also comes with a 10.1 inch LED backlit screen, a 1.3 megapixel camera, multiple USB ports and a 4-in-1 card reader to support viewing multimedia.
Lenovo Launches Learning Environment to Rewrite Technology-Led Curriculums
The new Classmate+ PC is a part of Lenovo’s new Learning Environment, a model for how technology in education works in a classroom and 1:1 environment. The Lenovo Learning Environment, which is located in the company’s Customer Innovation Center at its U.S. headquarters in Morrisville, N.C., provides a place to evaluate educational technology, offers professional development resources for teachers and serves as a feedback lab for students testing Lenovo PCs.About Lenovo
Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) is dedicated to building exceptionally engineered personal computers. Lenovo’s business model is built on innovation, operational efficiency and customer satisfaction as well as a focus on investment in emerging markets. Formed by Lenovo Group’s acquisition of the former IBM Personal Computing Division, the company develops, manufactures and markets reliable, high-quality, secure and easy-to-use technology products and services worldwide. Lenovo has major research centers in Yamato, Japan; Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, China; and Raleigh, North Carolina. For more information see www.lenovo.com.For the latest Lenovo news, subscribe to Lenovo RSS feeds or follow Lenovo on Twitter and Facebook.
About the Intel Learning Series
The Intel Learning Series brings together a strong ecosystem of PC manufacturers, operating system vendors, education service providers, content and software providers to deliver a complete, end-to-end education solution. It offers marketing tools, training, online exposure and a forum for its members to share resources and find common opportunities. More than 300 members in 60 countries are developing applications, peripherals and services optimized for the Learning Series. For more information about the Intel Learning Series, visit http://www.intellearningseries.com.
“who says the netbook is dead, eh?”
No one did, AFAIK!
Big mistake not selling this to the public though. I could have seen it on various Christmas lists here in the ‘west’
I haven’t seen a carry handle on a laptop since the lovely ibook clamshell.
The ‘life’ of a product is determined – in any meaningfuly / reasonable sense – by whether the general public can buy it, the netbook is dead, this just proves it further…;)