Intel Reveals Android-Powered Education Tablet, New Classmate PC Reference Designs

Intel has debuted a new 10-inch tablet reference design tailored specifically for education. The Intel Education Tablet features a dual-core Atom processor and runs the Android operating system. The company has also unveiled its new thinner, lighter Classmate PC clamshell reference design.

Intel's reference designs are used by third-party manufacturers, which produce the devices themselves.

The Intel Education Tablet is a 10.1-inch device powered by a dual-core, 1.2 GHz Intel Atom Z2520 processor. It includes 1 GB or 2 GB of LPDDR2 memory and 8 GB to 32 GB of eMMC storage. It runs the Android 4.2 operating system.

The Intel Education Tablet reference design
The Intel Education Tablet reference design

Other features include:

  • 1,280 x 800 screen resolution;
  • 802.11 a/b/g/n WiFi support and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
  • Optional near-field and 3G communications;
  • An active stylus;
  • 12-hour battery life;
  • Front and rear cameras (1.2 megapixel front, 5 megapixel rear);
  • A 30x snap-on magnification lens;
  • Thermal probe;
  • USB and HDMI ports; and
  • A micro SD card slot for storage expansion.

The device is also ruggedized with 70 cm drop-resistance and an IP52 rating (for resistance to dust and water).

The latest Classmate PC clamshell design
The latest Classmate PC clamshell design

The latest iteration of the Classmate PC clamshell features a thinner, lighter form factor than its predecessors. The 10-inch device is powered by a dual-core Intel Celeron processor N2806 and runs Microsoft Windows 8.1. (A second design running on an Intel Celeron processor N2805 will be available later. It will support Windows 7 and Linux.)

Other features of the latest Classmate PC include:

  • A 10.1", 1,366 x 768 display;
  • 2 GB or 4 GB of 1,066 MHz DDR3 memory;
  • Up to 500 GB hard drive or 64 GB solid state drive;
  • Rotating camera (1 megapixel);
  • Retractable handle;
  • USB 30, USB 2.0 and HDMI ports;
  • A card reader;
  • Support for WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0; and
  • Optional TV tuner.

Like the Intel Education Tablet, the Classmate PC is ruggedized with 70 cm drop-resistance. Its keyboard and touch pad are designed to resist water.

Both devices come pre-loaded with Intel's suite of education software, which includes:

  • Kno Textbooks;
  • SPARKvue (data analysis for science and math);
  • Intel Education Lab Camera by Intellisense (six software tools for measuring data captured by the camera);
  • ArtRage (drawing and painting);
  • eLearning by Mythware (productivity and collaboration);
  • Foxit Mobile PDF;
  • McAfee Mobile Security; and
  • Various educational materials.

Both of the new designs are being shown off at the Bett 2014 conference, taking place this week in London. Intel is in booth B358.

About the Author

David Nagel is the former editorial director of 1105 Media's Education Group and editor-in-chief of THE Journal, STEAM Universe, and Spaces4Learning. A 30-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art, marketing, media, and business publications.

He can be reached at [email protected]. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrnagel/ .


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