I know the common roots, but do the specs not look almost identical to an EeePC now?

It's all very well showing us picture of the machine, but it is difficult to visualise it in use. What would the sort of person who might use it look like, and what are the sorts of settings in which we might see it being used?

Intel clearly need some lessons from Elonex and Asus.

there's nothing about rebustness( drop tests ) or water and dust infusion capabilities not to mention the power capabilities other than battery choices. We all must have heard by now that story of how Intel put the Classmate PC in a 3rd world classroom and there were not allowed to take them home and the best part was where Intel had to install a diesel generator outside the class room because the batteries didn't last long enough because of intermittent electricity at the school.

This is a marketing gig and nothing more. And as far as being a competitor to the OLPC, Intel doesn't even meet the hardware design specs of the XO let alone have educational software and collaboration designs. There is no comparison unless you just look at the fact they both use the term "laptop" and they both have a handle.

Or perhaps a poor laptop for poor children in rich countries.

Or just a poor laptop for poor children in corrupted countries.