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How Classsmate PC Stacks Up Against OLPC

Posted by Zonk on from the cheap-laptops-go-toe-to-toe dept.

lisah writes "While the One Laptop Per Child project pulled itself together and shipped its first Beta machines, Intel was busy developing its own version, the Classmate PC. Inevitable comparisons will be made between the two (especially since OLPC's chairman Nicholas Negroponte called Intel's move "predatory"), so Linux.com's Tina Gasperson and her kids took a Classmate PC for a test run to see how it does in the real world. The upshot? Good battery life, easy to use, and great with ketchup. 'The Classmate is so adorably cozy it make you want to snuggle up on a comfy couch or lean back on some pillows on the floor while you surf. Good thing wireless is built right in. Too bad the typical Linux foibles apply. The first snag was having to log in as root to check the system configuration because the Classmate wouldn't log on to the network. Something tells me most elementary and high school teachers with nothing but Windows experience aren't going to get that.'" Linux.com and Slashdot are both owned by OSTG.

10 of 284 comments (clear)

  1. Classsmate... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...the extra "s" is for extra class!

    1. Re:Classsmate... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      Newsss for sssnakesss, thingsss that ssslither.

    2. Re:Classsmate... by lisah · · Score: 2, Funny

      Are you guys making fun of my lissssp? ;-)

    3. Re:Classsmate... by Bastard+of+Subhumani · · Score: 4, Funny

      I don't think so, where's the parentheses?

      --
      Only three things are certain; death, taxes, and apocryphal quotations - Ben Franklin.
    4. Re:Classsmate... by kazade84 · · Score: 3, Funny

      You're mistaken... no parentheses? It's obviously Python :)

    5. Re:Classsmate... by frenchbedroom · · Score: 3, Funny

      You call that a lithp ? Pleathe ! Call me when you thtart to thower yourthelf thilly with your own thaliva, at every thententhe ! THITH ith what I call lithping !

      *coffin lid noise*
      Yeth, marthter ?

  2. no way the public will use linux on this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny
    In regards to how well students adapt to technology, here is an excerpt from a recent blog entry by a college-educated grad (and minor radio celebrity in Austin, TX):

    As for the rest of you. I discovered the most astounding invention today. My mind gasps in amazement. I am purely stupefied at the sheer glory of technology. Not since the invention of the mechanical pencil have I been so intrigued by a device that leaves me dumbfounded and invigorated, thinking, "How did they come up with this?! It's GENIUS! What could they possibly think of next?!!"

    My friends...today, I discovered a USB port. Holy balls, it is incredible! You can transfer your pictures from your crappy PC to your slick Mac Book Pro in the blink of an eye! No joke.

    Now, I've heard 'USB-this' and 'USB-that' for awhile now...but I never really let it "register" because it involves computers. Anything that has to do with computers or sports, my brain automatically shuts down and my eyes roll white...until today. I'm on top of things from now on. I can't let another invention like this pass me by.


    Since USB ports haven't apparently been discovered by the general public, what's the chance that "root passwords" and wi-fi configuration have?
  3. Re:The test-drive displays massive ignorance by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    "Below is the comment I posted under the story on linux.com. For those too lazy to read it there:" ...guilty as charged, dude. I admit I am way too lazy to read every comment you post - it's hard to justify, but y'know, I just have better things to do

  4. Re:I wonder ... by BosstonesOwn · · Score: 1, Funny

    Think of it more as , Carl Lewis running a race at the special olympics !

    --
    This package Does Not Contain a Winner
  5. Re:and you don't OLPCs won't be laying unused ? by nine-times · · Score: 3, Funny

    OLPC and this are feel good ideas when too much of this world does have clean drinking water and adequate medicine or food for the day.

    But how will we be able to exploit these populations for profit if we don't get them addicted to expensive electronic gadgets?