I remember when the standard batch of school supplies I received each September consisted of a yellow ruler, a nub of an eraser, and a #2 pencil. My, how times have changed. These days, even the youngest of students are getting loaded with computers and the Kids Classmate is the latest in this revolution.

Looking like it takes on the Intel reference design, the newest $650 Kids Classmate comes from the good people at Kid Computers. The idea is that this education netbook can be used anytime and anywhere for students in kindergarten clear through to grade 12.  It’s a convertible tablet, featuring a 10.1-inch color touchscreen display that can rotate and swivel to suit the specific needs of each class. They say kids can “scrawl and draw just like they would with pen and paper.”

Other specs include the Intel 1.66GHz processor, 1GB memory, and 160GB hard drive, along with internal microphone, speakers, video chat software, and 1.3 megapixel webcam. Is it groundbreaking? Probably not, but it does look like a great educational tool. Expect the first shipments to happen on June 1… just in time for the end of the school year?