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Next-generation Intel Classmate previewed at CeBIT

Intel previewed the latest reference design for its Convertible Classmate PCs today at the CeBIT trade show in Germany. Like most netbooks using the latest "Pineview" chips from Intel, the new Classmate will only see a nominal performance increase, but users should expect significant boosts in battery life and evolutionary improvements in design and software.
Written by Christopher Dawson, Contributor

Intel previewed the latest reference design for its Convertible Classmate PCs today at the CeBIT trade show in Germany. Like most netbooks using the latest "Pineview" chips from Intel, the new Classmate will only see a nominal performance increase, but users should expect significant boosts in battery life and evolutionary improvements in design and software.

While a release date wasn't set during the preview, I would certainly expect the new hardware to be available from OEMs in plenty of time for summer implementations of the improved Classmates. The new design also represents the potential for greater differentiation among SKUs and options for OEMs. Budget-oriented 9" Convertible Classmates (the model currently available) can be sold alongside the higher-end 10.1" model previewed today. The 10.1 Classmate can also have standard (1024 x 600) or high (1366x768) resolution displays supported by the new integrated graphics chip.

The new Pineview chip, with its integrated graphics solution, helps the new Classmates achieve as much as 8.5 hours of battery life. While we're consistently seeing 5 hours with the Classmates we've deployed, 8.5 hours ensures that the netbooks are still going strong after a full day of school.

While previous Classmates have shipped with e-reader software built in, the new model now includes touch-optimized applications and e-book management software. The software supports EPUB and PDF; whether VitalSource will be supported (or if related software will work well with the netbooks and touch interface) remains to be seen.

The overall touch interface also appears to have been improved and now supports dragging and holding for additional functionality. Multitouch remains cost-prohibitive, although exact pricing isn't available yet either. To further improve upon the tablet capabilities, Intel has included new handwriting recognition & note-taking/annotation software and redesigned the stylus for comfort and tethering (they have a tendency to walk away otherwise). They have also refined the software stack and we are beginning to see integration with their Educational Appliance (I've already requested a test appliance from Intel).

I'll update this post today after I have a briefing with Intel representatives this afternoon. Now if I can just get my hands on a test unit and see if they really are more rugged than previous Classmates as Intel claims...

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