A heads-up to any and all potential buyers of entry-level but infinitely practical notebooks – a well-known laptop from a well-known company, specifically Intel’s Classmate PC, has been re-named and has appeared in some Philippine store shelves. Nothing alarmist about this post, as this is all above-board and legal.

                                             Neo Xplore X1 sporting the distinctive Classmate PC strap. Photo courtesy of bravekn1ght.

Using the same chassis and playing around with the internal specs of the mini laptop most well-known as Intel’s education-focused Classmate PC, Neo, a local laptop system builder and purveyor of mid range and entry level laptops in the sub-P20k to P60k range, has released the Neo Xplore X1. Specifications are modest, if fitting for this price point: an Intel Mobile Processor running at 900MHz, Intel’s GMS915 chipset,  512MB DDR2 memory upgradeable to 1GB, a 30Gb PATA HDD, 7”, 800 x 480 color LCD, 10/100M Ethernet + 802.11 b/g Wifi, an SD/MMC (hidden behind blue jacket), 2 x USB 2.0 connectors.

                                             Intel's version: the Classmate PC. Pic courtesy of Hexus.

Weighing less than 1.45Kgs, this little lappie puts up a good fight against Asus’ better-known Eee, especially with its price, on paper at least. Both laptops are handicapped by weak processors and graphics, more so for the Intel/Neo laptop. You can’t beat either for portability, but think on what you use your laptops for, and don’t be swayed instantly by the low, low price. If you do decide to take the plunge for this roughly P17k laptop, then you can be sure that quality control will be up to standards, as an Intel product, even re-branded as a Neo will at least have a certain level of polish.