Intel has revealed the newest version of its kid-friendly Classmate PC and also invented a new and hideous term for this class of computer: Netbook. The new Classmate has the kind of low end specifications you expect in this sector, but has the advantage over the OLPC in that it will run normal Linux distributions and Windows XP. OLPC users are stuck with those mysterious hieroglyphs.
Inside is a Celeron chip with on-board 802.11b/g mesh WiFi, a nine inch screen, half a gig of RAM, a 30GB hard drive, a bezel mounted camera, and something the press release calls a "6-cell battery life". Intel also says that v.2 is more rugged, and has a water resistant keyboard, which makes us think that the Classmate might be perfect for surfing in the local Starbucks.
Press release [Intel]
