Recession Kills Intel Classmate PC in Asia
Word is coming out of Taiwan that companies are canceling orders and suspending shipments of the Intel Classmate PC, due to poor financial conditions. The Classmate PC is a notebook for kids that Intel has created to bring low-cost notebooks into the classroom.
We were impressed with the Classmate PC when we evaluated one earlier this year. Intel had produced a notebook that can stand up to the rigors of typical use by children. The Classmate is bundled with special software for kids that facilitates easy integration in the classroom. The convertible model of the Classmate showed particular promise for adoption by young children.
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I’d be curious to find out more details about the financial issues, given also that the XO laptop program is (as far as I can tell from news dating back to earlier this year) also gone for this coming year.
It seems like the $100-$150 laptop is not feasible, but that the $250-$300 netbook is doing “well”.
I hope this situation improves. I’d like to see the massive educational system benefit from the use of technology like this, andit seems we are so close.
I suspect it has as much to do with the more limited target of laptops for children, as it does any other reason. Regular notebooks work fine for kids, and many would question why special devices are needed.
I can see why a “simplified” computer would not do well
in Asia, as most kids there are born with a mouse in one
hand and a key pad in the other…
my cousin,who lives in Hong Kong,
says most kids are into electronics at a pre-school age.
I can see this in a less computerized culture…maybe South America or African countries(?) where this device would seem very advanced…
Hi James,
Classmate PC has made its way to Singapore schools. Things look a little brighter here.
http://tucksoon.wordpress.com/2009/09/29/learning-made-easy-via-netbooks/