Intel's Classmate PC reference design helped get the netbook market going, and Classmate 2 introduces a touch screen and convertible Tablet PC-style design. The bad news is that people are apparently calling it a "netvertible". The worse news is that it runs Windows XP Home, which doesn't have Microsoft's Tablet PC support.
Laptop magazine has looked at the first implementation from CTL and says:
The 8.9-inch system packs a 1.6GHz Atom 270 processor, 1GB of RAM, 60GB HDD and 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi. The final version will also come with a 6-cell battery (our test unit has a 4-cell). According to CTL, pricing is still being worked out. The hardware without an OS will cost $499. The Ubuntu Linux version will retail for that price, but we assume the Windows XP Home version will be about $50 more.
Intel has also provided a launcher screen to make it easier for kids to run applications using their fingers. It's shown in Laptop's video.
Asus is also developing a touch-screen version of its Eee PC, and we may end up with a choice of several.
However, such systems would make much more sense if they had a version of XP or Vista that included the Tablet PC Edition's features, and ideally the superb OneNote software from Microsoft Office. Unfortunately, XP Home is the only OS that Microsoft offers for around $20-$25 under its ULCPC (Ultra Low Cost Personal Computer) deal. Maybe someone should phone Bill Gates, who has been the Tablet PC's biggest fan.
