Intel working on 'back to school' laptop

Intel is developing a 'playground laptop' it hopes will end up in every schoolbag around the UK.

The robust laptop - referred to within the company as the 'pupil device' - will reportedly cost around £500 and is being designed to withstand rough handling.

The unit, which is intended to launch in time for the new school year in September, is being developed for children aged between seven and 18, according to reports.

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Intel wants the device to be branded with a school badge imprinted on a cloth-covered casing to make it less likely to be stolen and resold than a conventional laptop, according to reports in The Sunday Telegraph.

Tristan Wilkinson, director of public sector at Intel EMEA, said the company is aiming to broaden the interaction between children and technology by working with the UK government to increase tech access in the home too.

Intel has been doing its homework on UK education. The chipmaker last year signed a memorandum of understanding with secondary education society the Specialist Schools and Academics Trust.

Under the scheme Intel aims to offer free online training to more than half of the UK's teachers by 2011.