MPC Introduces Ultra Low-Cost Mobile Notebook for Lower K-12 Education Market
MPC Computers today announced the availability of the TXTbook™ PC, an ultra affordable mobile notebook computer designed primarily for the K-6 education market. Based on the Intel-powered classmate PC design, TXTbook represents the latest development in MPC’s one-computer-per-child (one-to-one) computing initiative, a significant step taken in the industry to introduce an education-specific designed notebook for kids and parents in the United States. With pricing starting at $499, MPC is taking customer orders for the TXTbook PC beginning today.
Kid-Friendly Form Factor; Real PC Performance
The TXTbook PC is a mobile computing device designed for the unique learning needs of elementary school students. Despite its size, TXTbook delivers all the performance necessary to run real-world applications as well as connecting to a world of Web-based learning options. The TXTbook design is based on the latest Intel Atom™ Processors (1.6 GHz), Intel’s smallest processor purposely built for small, affordable netbooks that offers low-power consumption enabling up to 5 hours of battery life.
TXTbook also features an 8.9-inch display, a highly reliable hard drive based on the same technology used in popular MP3 players, built-in wired and wireless networking, a built-in Webcam, 2 Dual-channel stereo audio and USB peripheral support — all contained in a durable, drop-proof package.
“Everything about TXTbook is optimized for kids,” said Deborah Herrud, product marketing manager for MPC Computers. “At less than three pounds, it’s lightweight and easy to carry with a built-in handle. The keyboard is approximately 70 percent the size of a normal notebook computer and the footprint is small enough to fit on a child’s desk and makes it easy for a student to see over the top of the display and follow what their teacher is doing.”
One-to-one 2.0
As one of the largest computer suppliers to the U.S. education market, MPC’s introduction of TXTbook represents more than just a new product offering (click here for podcast interview with MPC’s product marketing team). It is, more significantly, another step in the company’s one-to-one (1:1) computing initiative for K-12. To begin with, MPC believes that the low price point for TXTbook can help shift the cost of computing from schools to parents, thereby allowing schools to invest more heavily in mobile technology infrastructure.
“TXTbook potentially changes the hardware acquisition environment from ‘hard’ to ‘soft’ mandates, thereby accelerating the transition from traditional lab computing to individual student use,” noted Kevin Shabow, MPC’s area vice president of sales. “We see a proliferation of parent-driven, one-to-one computing taking place — which we refer to as One-to-One Computing, Version 2.0 (1:1 2.0) — which will result in a new phase of wireless implementation and collaborative learning environments.”
“MPC has a long history of improving the experience of learning and teaching through technology,” said Lila Ibrahim, general manager of the Intel Emerging Markets Platform Group. “The new TXTbook PC, based on the Intel- powered classmate PC design, is an exciting new platform designed to meet the needs of today’s students and teachers and sets the stage for the vision of one-to-one 2.0.”
About MPC
MPC Corporation (AMEX: MPZ) , a major U.S. PC vendor since 1991, provides enterprise IT hardware solutions to mid-size businesses, government agencies and education organizations. With its October 2007 acquisition of Gateway’s Professional business, MPC Corporation became the only top-10 U.S. PC vendor focused exclusively on the $43 billion Professional PC market. For more information, visit MPC online at http://www.mpccorp.com.
