Intel Classmate is here, where is Makcik PC?
Remember Makcik PC? Sometime back, I wrote an article about the survival of Malaysian IT companies in a very competitive market, where I mention about 3 brands, MakcikPC, Ftec and Adverlets. Thank God, Ftec has bounced back with their new Ftec Smartbook which was built using Intel Classmate technology (more on 2nd paragraph) and Advertlet seems working hard to winning back their customers.
But unfortunately, there is no exciting news about Makcik PC. The prototype was announced last December, but until now, the mass production has yet to be seen. Mimos the company behind Makcik PC make a front page of local newspaper when they’re announcing this product, but others who works in silent mode has produced and marketed their product earlier than them. And while you keeping mum on the progress. you now you have more competitors, came from BIG brother in semiconductor, who else if it is not Intel.
After parting with OLPC, Intel came out with with it’s own low cost PC or a mobile PC, designed for learning of primary students, for ages 5 to 14. Yes, it seemed cool and cute, and the children must like it very much. Moreover, it is designed to be kid-friendly, which should make it easier for kids to catch up on how to use it. As what it is to function, this should help to improve the learning experience especially for the students, when there’ll be practical hands on, together with good visuals to help them to catch up things faster.
Designed for students, they are light weight, with the First Generation classmate PC to weigh at 1.45kg, while the Second Generation having range of 1.27kg – 1.45kg. Another feature designed for it to be handled by kids is the water resistant keyboard and the touchpad. Sure I don’t want my kids to mess with my laptop without supervision, but with this Classmate PC, it is all theirs. Read more on classmate
With these features and competitively priced, Intel Classmate can simply made Makcik PC looks dull. Ok, maybe I’m doing wrong comparison, MakCik PC is not a notebook, but it is tablet PC, but yeah, the purpose are similar with OLPC, and Intel Classmate, to help rural student to get used and access IT. But, the big question that remain in my head is, when will it be materialized??
Sometime it is better to keep your mouth shut, rather than making big news but the outcome is nowhere (or I can say none at all?)
Sigh, when will this folks changes
Well, what I can say.
The progress of Makcik PC is predictable and expected. (by most people)
Looks like our country is not ready to compete with the big boys yet.
I’m wondering where is makcik pc also. :p
la tak perasan la plak ada makcik pc all these while kan. hehe
I’m not sure what MIMOS think when the first announce the product? Or it just gimmick or show off what they’re capable off? R&D won’t come with little cost, so taxpayer is expecting something useful from them. Who funded the reseach?? It was us
Perhaps they have scrapped the project, when they found out that Asus and Intel and even Ftec has came out with better product
Haha, tu la, you selalu travel
Yes, it’s been many months since Makcik PC made headlines. It’s quite a shame if the product fails to hit market as I am sure they are groups who will appreciate local products, at a somewhat reasonable range. My Advertlets cash out request has been pending since Jan 08; I am not sure if this is acceptable for many.
By the time it reach mass prod, I’m not sure if it still reasonable. Intel Classmate priced around USD300 and with more features. It is natural for notebook price goes down over the time, so I guess the price would be lower perhaps in 7-8 months.
Whoa, Advertlets, I don’t use it, perhaps the founder (I think Josh Lim) can answer about this. With the blog sized of yours, your earning must be a lot Zul
i am awaiting when makcik pc will arrive in india?, thanks for giving awesome review.
Erm, I’m waiting the prototype to be in mass production, before any plan to sell it abroad
Kinda looks like them colourful mac that were released a few years ago. Just in primary colours
Zaki,
I don’t get you here….. You mean you do distribution also?
I’m sorry If I mislead you. I means before them (MIMOS) export this abroad eg: India, I wanted to see it on local market, and see how good the market reaction toward it.
I thought mac has black and white colour only?
I’m waiting the prototype to be in mass production, and see how good the market reaction toward it.
I want more rat race of these companies so that we can get more powerful and wonderful things.
Yeah, agree. We, as the end users are the real winner
I’m wondering where is makcik pc also. :p
I thought makcik were quite the same as the ASU 9´
Not really. Makcik has a lower spec compared to Asus. Makcik is considered as OPLC initially, while Asus EEE is becoming Netbook. Besides, Makcik is more to the tablet PC
I’m also curious about the prototype to be in mass production. Then we’ll see how good the market reaction is towards it.
I’m waiting for the makcic PC… Where is it? Didn’t find one in germany…
@ Zaki: ok thanks for the explanation. I didn´t know this!
I’m looking for a kid friendly pc like the Makcik for my daughter. Does anyone have a tip where to find something similar to this?
Not now dude. Wait for Classmate 3
Interesting article. I’m also interested in the Makcik PC for my kids for learning and surfing.
Zaki, do you aproximately know, when Classmate 3 will be available?
According to Lila Ibrahim, general manager of the emerging markets platform group at Intelaptop, it will be in production by the end of the year. But no further info about the availability on any region
Hello Zaki,
Thanks for you post. I have never heard about that PC yet. It´s new for me but exactly what I need. I´ll be in LA in two weeks. Maybe I can get more infos about there. Hope I can import one to Europe!
It´s really weird to see how Search Engines Managers are working. Have you seen that Darren Seo and Sebastian have the same homepage? I have a blog in the Netherlands and I have to combat such spammers.
Hi Dana, i don’t think it’ll will make a cut to Europe
And for these ‘SEO’ folks, they seems to leave a legit comments here, so I can’t comment much if they have similar homepage
I want more rat race of these companies.
Makcik PC who?
thanks for this article!
But this things are really ugly
What is Makcik? o_O
@Alleinunterhalter – ‘Makcik’ is auntie
“Makcik” is auntie?
What do you mean admin?