Hardware

Photos: Low-cost PCs

By // February 27, 2007, 11:20 PM PST // billdetwiler

Image 1 of 4

  • The Classmate PC (left) is an Intel-designed laptop with a 7-inch screen and flash memory instead of a hard drive. It is designed for use by youths in developing countries.

    Teachers will be able to conduct lessons on laptops while students follow on the Classmates. If students try to surf the Web while class is in session, the computer will block them and warn them politely to pay attention.

    Michael Kanellos/CNET News.com

  • Here is the Classmate PC folded up. Intel CEO Paul Otellini showed off a similar one in May, but it was blue.

    Michael Kanellos/CNET News.com

  • The Affordable PC, another Intel-designed computer, comes with the basics and cannot be upgraded. With Linux (Mandrake here), it can cost as little as $220.

    Michael Kanellos/CNET News.com

  • This is a gamer PC for China's Internet cafes. Roughly one-quarter of Internet cafe patrons have PCs at home, according to Intel. Home, however, is also where mom, dad and grandparents are. Thus, the cafes serve a social function.

    The PCs contain software that lets an administrator block certain Web sites. In the West, this would be considered censorship. In China, cafe owners end up in jail if they don't use the software.

    Michael Kanellos/CNET News.com

The Classmate PC (left) is an Intel-designed laptop with a 7-inch screen and flash memory instead of a hard drive. It is designed for use by youths in developing countries.

Teachers will be able to conduct lessons on laptops while students follow on the Classmates. If students try to surf the Web while class is in session, the computer will block them and warn them politely to pay attention.

Michael Kanellos/CNET News.com

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By Bill Detwiler

Bill Detwiler is Editor in Chief of TechRepublic and the host of Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show. Prior to joining TechRepublic in 2000, Bill was an IT manager, database administrator, and desktop support specialist in the ...