Intel (News - Alert), a company developing processors and chips for computers, is going to bring the next generation of Classmate PCs, the details of which will be announced soon by the company. The company said that the new generation of Classmate PCs will be equipped with new hardware and software that will make the laptops more user-friendly.

 

Although the company has not provided specific details regarding the updated hardware and software features, it has stated that the announcement regarding the new laptops will be made within a month or so.

 

Agnes Kwan, spokeswoman, Intel, also declined to reveal the shipping or pricing information about the new laptops. Kwan said that as a part of overhauling the laptop, an update in the design has been made, so that third generation of Classmate laptops will have a new look and feel. She added that the changes are based on feedback Intel got from educators and students using Classmate PCs.

 

The Classmate PC had been primarily developed to serve as an educational laptop for kids belonging to developing countries. Earlier this year, Classmate 2, the new version of the laptop had been announced by Intel, and the company further made the product available to the general market through PC makers.

 

Kwan commented that general users can use Classmate PC for basic applications like surfing the Web and checking e-mail, and the laptop is being provided through 30 PC makers in 35 countries today. HCL Infosystems, a company from India, has introduced a system based on the Classmate PC design, named MiLeap X, that is available for $356. In the U.K., a company named Actronix has been selling a system named JumPC, which is also based on the Classmate PC design, for a price of U.K. Pound 239, about equal to $476.

 

Intel might deploy a version of Sugar as the user interface for the new Classmate laptop. Sugar is a user interface that had been originally developed for XO laptop by One Laptop Per Child, which was also an educational laptop for kids in developing countries. Intel has been working with Sugar Labs Foundation for developing a version of Sugar for Classmate PCs, and the foundation has assigned a community volunteer to work with Intel on Sugar.

 

Although Sugar interface has still not been declared officially as the user interface for Classmate PC, it has been shown to work on the Classmate PC on OLPC News, an enthusiast Web site.

 

Intel has also announced that the current Classmate 2, that is being shipped by the company, is equipped with updated hardware, adding speed and memory capabilities.