Intel’s sub-$400 Classmate PC vs $100 OLPC Laptops: 10 Differences

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There have been a lot of reports recently in the media about Intel’s sub-$400 Classmate PC (laptop) and $100 One Laptop Per Child (OLPC). The funny thing is that these two laptops are aimed at the poor countries (developing) but the companies and the media of the rich world are more interested about them then the third world countries themselves. I searched about the two laptops and hardly found from materials in Internet from the third world countries.

Similarities

The goal of the two projects is perhaps the same- to ensure laptop for the children and students of the developing countries. Both Intel and OLPC association want to keep the price of their laptops affordable. They do not seek profit from their ventures either. Well, I guess that the similarities end here except for the fact that both Intel and OLPC officials seek some positive media coverage (I am doubtful if any of them would admit it).

Differences

The first difference that I can note is that of focus. For OLPC association, $100 laptop is everything. That is why they came into existence and they are working only about implementing the project. On the other hand, for Intel, Classmate PC is just another non-profitable project. Intel is doing some charitable work in different parts of the world and Classmate PC is perhaps the most important one. In fact, if you do a Google search with the phrase “Intel Classmate PC” then you will feel disappointed not to find any link from Intel’s website in the first page of the Google result. Even I visited, Intel’s website and Intel Press Room and hardly could find anything there.

On the other hand, just do a Google search with the world OLPC and then you can find MIT Media Lab & $100 Laptop, One Laptop per Child and OLPC - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia in the first page. I had better luck with the word ‘Eduwise’. Well, you may argue that Intel’s project is comparatively new. May be but if Intel wants to win hearts then it must make Classmate PC more visible in its website and press room.

Now, I am noting the differences between Intel Classmate PC and OLPC laptop:

1. Processor: Intel is using Celeron M Processor 915GMS chipset in its Classmate PC. OLPC is using AMD processor (500MHz processor).
2. Display: Classmate PC will have a seven-inch WVXGA (800×480) LCD display. OLPC laptops is going to have “dual-mode display—both a full-color, transmissive DVD mode, and a second display option that is black and white reflective and sunlight-readable at 3× the resolution.”
3. Memory: Intel’s Classmate PC will have 256MB DDR2 SO-DIMM memory while OLPC laptop will have 128MB of DRAM. So, here Intel is better than OLPC.
4. Flash Memory: Classmate PC is going to have 1GB NAND flash memory while OLPC laptosp will have 500MB of Flash memory.
5. USB port: I could not find anything USB ports of Classmate PC but OLPC laptops will have four USB ports.
6. Operating system: Intel’s Classmate PC will ‘adopt the Windows XP embedded OS.’ On the other hand, OLPC laptops will run on Linux.
7. Internet connectivity: It is not clear if Intel’s Classmate PC will have any kind of Internet connection but OLPC laptops will “have wireless broadband that, among other things, allows them to work as a mesh network; each laptop will be able to talk to its nearest neighbors, creating an ad hoc, local area network.” So, here OLPC seems to have the upper hand. Even OLPC project has been offered free satellite connection by SES Global.
8. Pricing: I must admit that I am a bit confused about the actual price of Intel Classmate PC. I guess that its price will be in the range of $250-$400. The price of OLPC was originally fixed at $100 but now it will be around $130-$140.
9. Battery: Intel’s Classmate PC will have a 6-cell Li-ion battery. OLPC laptops will ‘use innovative power (including wind-up)’.
10. Weight: I could not find anything about the weight of Intel’s Classmate PC. The weight of OLPC laptops will be 2-pound.

2007 is going to be a great year for the children of developing countries like Nigeria. School children will be able to use laptops. It will surely help many of the children to become a part of the digital world.