It's official. The reason that Intel Netbook we've been seeing for the last few weeks looks so much like the Intel Classmate PC is because it's basically the second generation Classmate PC. Laptop Magazine got all the gritty details, and spent some quality time with the Classmate 2, which is aimed at educational markets.

As expected, Intel won't be bringing the computers to market itself, but will be working with third party manufacturers. The first model out will be the 2go PC from CTL. While the 2go, like the original Classmate is really intended for educational use (and has a child-sized keyboard that reportedly makes the Eee PC's cramped keyboard look huge), CTL plans to sell the 2go through Amazon.com. The computer should begin shipping in mid-May.

So what's under the hood?

• 900 MHz Celeron M processor
• 512MB RAM, upgradeable to 1GB
  
• The test unit Laptop Mag reviewed had a 30GB, 3600rpm hard drive, but the final version will reportedly have a 40GB, 4200rpm hard drive
• 2 USB ports
• 9-inch 800 x 480 pixel display
• Intel 915GMS integrated graphics
• Choice of Windows or Linux operating system
• $400 or $500 price tag, depending on your choice of OS
• Ruggedized case with a briefcase-style handle
• Weighs 3 pounds

Best of all, while Laptop Magazine reports that the 2go/Classmate isn't going to win any speed demon awards, it gets a good 4 hours of battery life under real world conditions. My Eee PC, for comparison's sake, tends to conk out after about 2.5 hours.

Engadget managed to get some fresh information about the new Classmate PC-like laptop from Intel. The notebook apparently won't bear the Netbook name we've been using. Instead, it will be known as the 2go PC. You know, because that sounds a lot more professional. Wait, no, maybe it's because the PC is targeted at kids, and you know how those kids like to combine their numbers and letters.

Anyway, here's what'll be inside the 2go PC:

• Intel Celeron M CPU
• Intel 915GMS chipset
• 512MB RAM (upgradeable to 1GB)
• 9 inch, 800 x 480 display
  
• 40GB hard drive
• 802.11b/g WiFi
• SD card reader
• VGA webcam
• Windows XP

Engadget says the 2go should be available within 2 months for about $400. Overall, the 2go looks like a nice alternative to the Eee PC or Everex Cloudbook. But I can't figure out why they would put a 9 inch screen on this model and then limit the resolution to 800 x 480. My only real complaint with the first generation Eee PC is that 800 x 480 pixels just isn't enough to view some content. The upcoming Eee PC 900 will have an 8.9 inch screen with a 1024 x 600 display. Intel should really follow suit here.