First 10 $100 Laptops Now Shipping

Techtree News Staff, Nov 21, 2006 1343 hrs IST

A non-profit organization, One Laptop per Child (OLPC), has shipped its first ten '$100 Laptops' for pilot testing by children.

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A non-profit organization, One Laptop per Child (OLPC), has shipped its first ten '$100 Laptops' for pilot testing by children.

OLPC, a program meant to bring affordable and durable laptop computers to children in developing nations to help bridge the digital divide, is led by program Chairman and Massachusetts Institute of Technology Media Lab co-founder Nicholas Negroponte.

The first 10 machines, which recently underwent testing by US government officials, are being shipped at a cost of $125 per laptop. Although it is priced slightly higher, Negroponte hopes that the price will drop to a $100 by 2008.

In a statement, Negroponte said that the laptops would also be undergoing stringent testing during a couple of weeks, as they have to test this machine under conditions of extreme cold, extreme heat, mud, dust, and daily abuse by kids.

It is also learnt that the first laptops will be followed by a 900-unit run early next year, many of which will be used by developers to create software for use with machines, including an instant-messenger program.

Each laptop, called OLPC's XO-1, is hand-cranked and equipped with advanced features like camera, microphone, and Wi-Fi connectivity. The machines have 128MB of DRAM and 512MB of flash memory for storage. The machines will also run on the free, open-source Linux operating system.

While the project has received flak from a number of critics, the governments of countries like Argentina, Brazil, Libya, Nigeria, and Thailand have expressed support for the program, stating they will order the machines for use by their children.

The project has also rattled the tech community, as a low-cost computer will probably need to run on free, or almost free software, introducing millions of children to the world of open source software.

Meanwhile, mass production of the machines will begin as soon as orders for the first 5-10 million units are received. The laptops will be distributed in schools through education authorities.

USER COMMENTS

How can I buy one of these laptops. They don't seem to have a program anymore.

by Eric Lemle, Ogden, on Oct 14, 2008 10:18 PM, Report abuse Reply

hi , i m interested in this laptop. plz send me details about it and procedure to buy it.

by raja, ludhiana, on Jun 02, 2007 10:11 AM, Report abuse Reply

we wanta to import

by pc express, tenerife spain, on Nov 25, 2006 05:26 PM, Report abuse Reply

the service is highly appreciable. it is better to add this design for secondary level students also

by Roj nath Pande, Kathmandu, on Nov 22, 2006 12:35 PM, Report abuse Reply

Even at $125 a pop (their government's expense) this is an absolute bargain just for the cost of distributing school materials instead of books. I'll be very interested in what the kids of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts do with this program -- they're slated to get them too as part of MIT's involvement. Although they are underpowered by most notebook standards, they will be extremely valuable. Watch as Quantas ramps up production on these and probably comes out with the "civilian" version. Like a Hummer instead of a Humvee, I'm betting they'll go for $350 apiece, and will be well worth it for the right customer.

by jimcooncat, Maine, on Nov 22, 2006 03:14 AM, Report abuse Reply

Excellent We need to start taking care of everyone in the world instead of just our selves. We must let go before we can move ahead.

by Dave, Canada, on Nov 22, 2006 01:25 AM, Report abuse Reply

Open source just took a huge leap in the right direction. Those that can't afford no longer have to, they just have to learn which in all reality is the goal.

by Joe, Manteca, on Nov 22, 2006 01:19 AM, Report abuse Reply

Well done Linux! Microsoft must be terrified that this laptop will be a success.

by Derek, London, on Nov 22, 2006 12:32 AM, Report abuse Reply

This is an excellent initiative, hope like paperless office if the schools too becomes free from those bulky, backbone-breaking books and notebooks, sure the kids will enjoy and will be liberated from carrying cart of books everyday to schools. At least equipments like e-slates for our kids will be a good initiative in that direction. e-slates can store complete text books and whatever being written on it as images in its inbuilt memory. Kids can use it as both text book as well as note book. The Government instead of churning the age old topics should concentrate in kids education for such constructive changes.

by simmam, Trichy, on Nov 21, 2006 03:50 PM, Report abuse Reply