Ben Preiss
Edit
 Classmate PC is Intel's Challenger to OLPC Intel recently left the One Laptop per Child (OLPC) initiative and is now pushing its Classmate PC. The new computers are also low priced, semi-rugged laptops, but they have a Windows XP OS rather than LINUX. The new Intel Classmate PC has gotten decent reviews, and it looks kind of nice with its colorful leather cover and rubber bumpers.  Unlike all of its ultracheap competition, Intel's entry into the starter PC market has a secret weapon: It runs Windows (XP to be exact). Whether you see this as benefit or a hindrance depends on your affinity for Microsoft, your need for broad compatibility and your fear over how Windows might perform on ultralow-end equipment. In my tests: not as bad as you'd expect. It immediately dies on benchmarks, of course, but apps load relatively quickly (including Microsoft Office, preloaded on our test machine), and even full-screen video and Flash vids didn't stutter.
(wired)References: reviews.cnet, wired 1 Comment: on $300 Laptop |
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