Intel Netbook CTL 2Go PC Education Computer

According to news reports, Intel have shown a new version of their proposed low cost laptop for school children. The unit which was thought of as the "Classmate 2" is now known as the Intel Netbook, with an example unit made by CTL of Tiwan known as the "2Go PC". The unit has a 9 inch screen in place of the previous 7 inch one, at the same 800 x 480 pixel resolution. CLT have set up a new web site for the 2Go PC.

The size of the case has not been increased, as with the ASUS Eee PC, it was designed for a 9 inch screen and like the Eee PC does not have a full size keyboard and is it too cramped for comfortable typing by adults. The case has an integrated carrying handle, like the OLPC. Unlike the bright green OLPC, the case is in a conservative gray color. The unit has a 900MHz Intel Celeron processor and a , 40GB hard disk, 512 Mb RAM, Windows XP.

Intel is not going to make or sell the unit, but provide the design to manufacturers, as a way to encourage them to use Intel chips. The Netbook is intended for a similar market to the OLPC: school children. However, more like the Eee PC, it is likely to be available retail to individuals, as well as offered in bulk to governments and educational systems.

The Intel Netbook is more conventional than the ASUS Eee PC and the revolutionary OLPC, using a hard disk and Windows operating system. It is likely that there will be a convergence of the features of such units, with versions of the Netbook adopting some of the features of the OLPC.

These small education computers for under $500 are creating a problem for makers of full size conventional laptops and high cost sub-notebook computers. Consumers who see that these cheap little computers are more than adequate for most tasks will ask why they should pay two or three times as much (or in the case of some premium sub-notebooks, six times as much).

As a new crop of low power, low desktop computers become available for under $500 (complete with LCD monitor), this place pressure on desktop makers to either lower price or provide features to justify high costs.

Specifications

CPU & PLATFORM		STORAGE		I/O PORTS
Intel® Celeron® M Processor Ultra Low Voltage On board Voltage Regulation Dothan 900MHz 0 L2 Cache 1.0GHz 512Mb L2 Cache 400MHz FSB Intel 915GMS Chipset.		40GB 1.8" 4200RPM PATA HDD 2-in-1 SD/MMC memory card reader Supports boot from card reader and USB USB 2.0 Interface for external storage.		2 USB 2.0 Ports 1 x RJ-45 10/100 LAN 1/8" External Microphone-in jack 1/8" External headphone jack 2-in-1 SD/MMC memory card reader Kensington Lock Ready.
MEMORY		WIRELESS LAN		DIMENSIONS & POWER
SO DIMM 200-pin socket x 1 Supports DDR2 400/533, SO-DIMM DRAM module 512MB Standard. 1GB Available		Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g with open mesh support Mini-card form factor, single antenna		Size: 8.7" (W) x 7.3" (H) x 1.5" (D) Weight: < 3 lbs 4-cell Li lon Battery Battery life aprox 3hrs typical usage time
VIDEO		AUDIO		OTHER
9'' LCD, 800 x 480 Color LCD TFT, LED Backlight Digital LVDS Interface		Realtek ALC6555 - AC '97 2.1 Integrated Analog Audio 2 integrated 1 watt speakers		Integrated camera 30fps @ 640x480, 0.3M Driver / AP support Windows XP / Linux
		OPERATING SYSTEM
		Microsoft® Windows® XP Available Supports Linux

From: 2Go PC, Computer Technology Link, 2008