Another IT show, another niche comes up. As CeBIT just started I come upon the official release of Intel’s new Convertible Classmate PC, a cheap learning computer that people are calling netvertible (I suppose comes from the combination of netbook and convertible). Looking behind marketing names this is a classic convertible netbook tablet, but with a more childish look, exactly what you would buy your kid before going to school. Let’s see what the new device brings to the Classmate series and if is worth more than a first look, which I’m doing now.

    Initially meant as a cheap solution to educate students in third world countries now the Classmate PC series in a more serious device featuring rugged casing with rubberized top and bottom plus a flexible carrying handle. Other nice touches include the rotating web-cam, recording microphone, big stylus and programmable side buttons around the 10.1 inch screen (1024 x 600 pixels resolution), shock protected hard drive and optional anti-microbial keyboard. The new Intel Convertible Classmate PC supports both Linux and Windows and has a special app launcher which seems rather nice as it has big icons that open up in the center depending on the category you select on the left side.

    The platform used is of course the Atom Pine Tail because it’s cheap and powerful enough for school tasks. We don’t like the screen which is a classic resistive single touch, but you can’t expect too much from a cheap alternative, right? Battery life is more than enough to get a student through the day, rated at 8.5 hours from a 6 cell battery. There are connectivity options for 3G and WiMAX while WiFi comes standard. Engadget managed to get their hands on one at CeBIT and had shot a short video with it:

    Source: Ubergizmo

    Update: Intel Classmate Convertible PC is available now for 499$. Get yours from Amazon if you feel like you want to be a student again or you have kids.