Finally, a netbook worth my attention

Finally, a netbook worth my attention

In case you were wondering why I haven't sounded off on the "netbook craze", (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netbook)you need to pay more attention. I've made it quite clear I don't care for "inkless" notebooks (http://sumocat.blogspot.com/2006/10/time-to-redefine-term-notebook.html), and I don't like cramped keyboards. Obviously, cramped little notebooks don't appeal to me. Little tablets, on the other hand, are awesome, and that's what Intel's new Classmate netbook is.

Full photo gallery is at Engadget (http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/17/ctls-2go-classmate-pc-netvertible-due-in-january-for-under-500/) (I saw it on GottaBeMobile (http://www.gottabemobile.com/2008/10/17/intel-classmate-tablet-slated-for-january-2009/)). It is very reminiscent of the OLPC XO (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OLPC_XO-1), including the handle, except with a touchscreen. Photos and video of it were posted at jkkmobile (http://jkkmobile.blogspot.com/2008/08/meet-new-convertible-classmate-from.html) a while back, but now there's a price point (under $500) and release date (January 2009).

Between the price, size, and touchscreen, the new Classmate may be the computer that finally delivers on the UMPC (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UMPC) promise, except it has its own custom launch screen, rather than Microsoft's origami UI. No doubt we'll see one modded with that shortly after release.
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