FizzbookSpin: Intel's latest Classmate
Intel has announced details of the FizzbookSpin, which is based on the Quanta NL2 model of Intel's third-generation Classmate PC design. The FizzbookSpin, which is due to be released in May, is a low-cost convertible netbook aimed primarily at children aged between 5 and 11.
Local PC manufacturer CMS is bringing the latest Classmate to the UK. Distribution will be handled by Steljes.
Intel's third-generation Classmate is a convertible clamshell netbook
The design allows it to convert from a conventional clamshell to tablet format; when folded up the system has a useful chunky carrying handle. A digital accelerometer automatically orientates the screen and allows for both left and right-handed usage. The machine weighs between 1.52 and 1.74kg depending on hardware specification and measures 26cm wide by 4cm high by 21cm deep when folded.
The FizzbookSpin is powered by a 1.66GHz Atom N450 processor with the Intel NM10 Express chipset and 1GB of RAM. For connectivity there's an Ethernet port and Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n), with 3G, GPS and WiMAX on offer as options. The Quanta NL2 design also features on-board storage in the shape of either a 2.5in. SATA hard drive or up to 32GB of SATA Flash.
A water-resistant 10.1in. touchscreen provides a widescreen resolution of 1024 by 600, and a palm-resting feature allows children to use the machine as a solid writing surface. The keyboard and the touchpad are also water resistant.
Users are promised 8.5 hours of operability from a single charge with the 6-cell 2,600mAh battery.
Multimedia features include a rotatable 1.3-megapixel (VGA) webcam, a microphone and a pair of speakers. The FizzbookSpin also has two USB 2.0 ports, an SD card slot, a VGA connector for an external display and both half-size and full-size mini-card slots.
Martin Gaston