Intel Education 2 in 1 is a convertible that’s making its way to classrooms (hands-on)

Intel’s Education 2 in 1 convertible laptop doesn’t have the most exciting of names, but it’s a device that could help change the world. It’s not the first time the chip-maker has been involved with education causes — but perhaps Intel has found the right mix at last with this 10-inch convertible.

Powered by a 1.8GHz quad-core Intel Atom Z3740D processor, the 2 in 1 is made by Taiwanese manufacturer Elitegroup. It runs Windows 8.1 and comes with 2GB of RAM and either 32 or 64GB of onboard storage.

The 10-inch touchscreen features a 1,366×768-pixel resolution and comes with NFC and Wi-Fi connectivity. You can detach the screen from the keyboard to turn it into a tablet, or flip it around to use from the other side. A capacitive stylus is located on the right side of the display.

It sports a USB 3.0 port and Micro-HDMI as well as a micro-SD card slot. A 3.5mm audio jack also doubles as a port for a temperature probe.

The 2 in 1’s rear 5-megapixel camera comes with a snap-on microscope lens with 30x magnification. Using the built-in Intel Education Software, it will easily enable you to see snowflakes or the fibres that make up your clothes. There are two LED lights at the side of the camera, which can be turned on to illuminate the samples you intend to look at.

Other software features include motion capture, time-lapse photography, and a kinematics app that tracks moving objects, such as a pendulum, and will display the frequency onscreen.

A built-in handle makes it easy to carry around, the overall package weighs in at around 1.2kg, or 2.65 pounds . The laptop is as thin as an ultrabook with a thickness of 27.8mm (just under 1.1 inches), and in tablet form, checks in at 11.6mm, or just under half an inch.

As the notebook is meant for use in a school environment, Intel has made the 2 in 1 water- and drop-resistant. It’s able to take spills on the keyboard and survive falls from a height of up to 70cm (about 27 inches).

If you’re thinking of getting one yourself, you’d be out of luck. Intel has no plans to sell the notebook commercially — instead, it’s working with distributors in Australia, India, Pakistan, Thailand, and the Philippines who will sell these notebooks directly to schools.