Intel launches Classmate PC in India

Jaipur, July 21: Intel Corporation, the world's biggest chipmaker and HCL today announced the nationwide launch of Intel-powered classmate PC in India.

Intel had already tested models of the PC deployed in few schools across the country including the Delhi Public School, Ghaziabad, Padma Seshadri Bal Bharati, Bangalore and Navodaya school in Faridabad.

''Intel Development Centre in Bangalore had extensively designed both the hardware and software for the classmate PC, which is rugged and could withstand the using pattern of small children starting from class three,'' Intel Director for Marketing (South Asia) John McClure said.

He said ''This launch under the World Ahead Programme (WAP) will encourage innovation and enable children to communicate worldwide, develop 21st century skills such as digital literacy, problem solving, critical thinking and collaboration''.

Estimated to cost around Rs 18,000 on a standalone model, the classmate PC could be bundled into a total system offered to schools on a monthly subscription basis. The system could also include teaching aids, software to drive the programme and also training of teachers, Mr Rajendra Kumar, Executive Vice President of HCL Infosystems which would sell the Classmate PCs said.

He said ''We belive HCL classmate PC can revolutionise classroom learning by taking teacher student interaction to a higher level in our schools arosss India''.

A large number of schools have been experimenting with it to improve education delivery and HCL expected them and others to eagerly adopt an innovative product designed exclusively for young students, which was ultra light weight yet rugged for daily use, he added.

The first shipment of HCL Classmate PC were expected to begin by August-September this year. The company aimed to sell around 5,000 units in the first year, Mr Kumar added.

Mr McClure said that initially the target audience would be private schools and later could be taken up as a Government run programme.

Mr Kumar said HCL would offer customised integrated learning solutions to schools through its tie ups with current developers and education service providers. The company would utilise both its countrywide direct sales network, the largest in India along with channel sales network to reach out to schools and educational institutions across the country.

Mr McCluire also said Intel would also sign up with Wipro and Zenith Computers to produce classmate PCs.

Weighing less than 1.5 kg, the Classmate PC has education application content software.

''It is a small mobile learning assistant specially developed for grade II-IX students and their teachers and has built-in wireless and digital pen attachments. It can run either on Microsoft Windows or Mandriver, Metasys and Linux operating systems.'' The PC has a 7-inch LCD screen, 256MB and 512MB RAM with 1GB and 2GB NAND flash memory . It comes with six Li-ion battery promising three to four hours of usage time.

UNI