Digital Home Thoughts - News & Reviews for the Digital Home

Product Category: Netbook/Tablet PC

Manufacturer: Intel

Where to Buy: Amazon Affiliate Store

Price: $449-$507 USD

Specifications: Intel Atom 1.6Ghz processor, 1GB memory, 60GB disk, 8.9" touch screen. Details below.

Pros:

• Good price for a touch-screen convertible tablet;
• Sturdy and well built to take some rough handling by children or adults;
• Easy to use;
• Runs Windows 7, though not an option from all resellers as of this writing.

Cons:

• Limited support from resellers, none from Intel;
• Keyboard may be too small for touch-typists;
• Processor too slow for built-in web cam to be useful;
• Toy-like appearance may be unacceptable to adults.

Summary: The Classmate Convertible PC is a small touch-screen tablet PC built by Intel (see their cool promo video) and re-branded and sold by a number of different retailers under various names (Schoolmate Convertible, M&A Companion Touch, CTL 2Go Convertible Classmate). Its toy-like appearance is designed to be attractive to children, but its ruggedized construction could make it useful for adults as well. The fairly low powered Atom processor is typical for this size of netbook and adequate for most functions. The touch screen works well for applications a child might use and the pen input with Windows 7 is very usable. Touch typists may find the small keyboard difficult to get used to.

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