Intel is about to launch a touchscreen laptop

Next January, Intel will demonstrate the next version of the Classmate laptop at the International Consumer Electronics Market (CES) held in Las Vegas on January 8-11, 2009. The special feature of this Classmate is the touch screen and many new features that make it easier for students to use.

In fact, the Classmate Convertible version is a tablet with a touch screen for easier data entry. This is a laptop for students in developing countries around the world, but it is also used for the general market. The touch interface of the device will make the software more interactive and easier to use.

Classmate is a line of laptops designed by Intel but distributed by other computer manufacturers. According to Intel, some PC makers are also expected to sell Classmate Convertible at CES 2009. Convertible Classmate's flagship product model will also appear early next year.

Classmate Convertible has a clamshell design with 8.9-inch screen. Data entry can be done via pen or directly on the touch screen. Laptop is equipped with a mechanism to change the screen vertically or horizontally depending on the location of the laptop. The Convertible Classmate will run on the Intel Atom chip platform, along with Windows or Linux OS operating systems.

With the launch of a new version of Classmate, Intel was one step ahead of its rival OLPC (producing XO laptops). OLPC also plans to launch the XO-2 with a touch screen in 2010, meaning after a year of Intel. The XO-2 is equipped with an ultra-sensitive keyboard and 2 touch screens.

Convertible Classmate is an upgraded version of the Classmate PC (commonly known as Classmate 2). Classmate 2 doesn't have a touch screen and only has basic applications for Web surfing and email checking. For about $ 300, Classmates has most of the features in today's conventional laptops, such as USB drives, wireless networking.

Intel claims the Classmate PC is a success for the company. Earlier this year, Intel announced that it had sold 500,000 Classmates through a partnership with the Portuguese government.