Intel readies global push for Classmate PC

By Suzanne Deffree, Managing Editor, News -- 3/20/2008

Intel Corp will make a global push with its second-generation, sub-$350 Classmate PC, Electronic News has confirmed.

The chip maker launched the first Celeron Mobile processor-based Classmate PC in March 2007 as part of its World Ahead program, seeking to increase widespread PC ownership in developing nations including Brazil and Mexico.

The second-generation Classmate PC will also be based on the Intel Celeron Mobile processor and will make a global push, expanding the low-cost laptop’s reach beyond developing nations to emerging economies in the US, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.

“We are [bringing the Classmate PC] beyond classrooms and emerging markets. We are working with OEMs to bring them into retail, as well as mature markets,” Agnes Kwan, an Intel spokeswoman, told Electronic News.

The new Classmate PC’s design will be ready in the next few weeks, with laptops based on it expected to be introduced some time after that by PC OEMs, Kwan said.

Kwan did not disclose which OEMs Intel was working with or the technical details of the upcoming Classmate PC.

Intel began working on the Classmate PC after differences of opinion between it and the XO One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) association arose, causing Intel to officially resign from the XO One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) association in January.

“We mutually agreed that Intel would leave the directive,” Kwan reminded. “We both share the vision of bringing technology to kids to improve their way of learning and education, but there are philosophical and fundamental differences that we could not resolve. Intel was requested by OLPC to terminate any involvement with other platforms, except from the XO OLPC.”

OLPC uses processor from Intel’s closest rival, Advanced Micro Devices.

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