February 20th, 2008

The Intel Classmate PC shares a common goal with the OLPC XO-1: to put laptops into the hands of needy children in developing countries. Basically, Intel has enlisted international partners, who will be rebranding the Classmate PC—in coordination with the Taiwanese firm that designed it—and working with governments around the world, which will distribute them to students. The partners will also provide setup and technical support to the schools receiving the laptops. Whether, apart from its humanitarian aim, the Classmate PC was created to help Intel shareholders (it is a for-profit venture), to steal Nick Negroponte’s spotlight, or just to provide healthy competition to his One Laptop per Child (OLPC) initiative is an open question. One thing’s for sure, though: The Classmate PC is a sturdy, capable little laptop that runs Linux or Windows XP Professional and is an excellent alternative to the XO-1.

More info at pcmag.com