The revamped $100 laptop
One Laptop Per Child, the group developing a low-cost computer for children in the developing world, has unveiled designs for a sleeker, more stylish version of the XO laptop.
The new laptop, which will be smaller and more energy efficient than its predecessor, won’t be available until 2010. When it does arrive it will have two touch-sensitive screens, enabling it to be held like a book.
Nicholas Negroponte, the founder of the organisation that builds and promotes the laptops, said that the replacement will be cheaper than the current model. The XO laptop available now costs $188, despite the group’s aim to keep the price at $100. So far 600,000 of the computers have been sold.
One Laptop Per Child recently announced that the computer would be available with Microsoft’s Windows operating system. Until now only Linux-based laptops were available.
what could I say other than wow.
Posted by: baderinho | May 24, 2008 9:25:51 PM
Can they be ordered with OS X instead?
Posted by: The_Steve | May 28, 2008 9:01:03 AM
tell me the details of this laptop
Posted by: sandeep | May 29, 2008 5:06:58 AM
This is a pretty cool idea even if it doesn't get to the 'one laptop per child' scheme, if only because it could help children with learning disabilities such as autism use interactive programs in a similar way to typical interactive books that you get these days, such as LeapPad, but on a much more advanced level...
Posted by: Maelstrom | May 29, 2008 8:18:44 PM
I was thinking, maybe it can be used as a tablet?
Posted by: Adam | May 30, 2008 11:07:24 AM
Hi all, I tried to buy this but they ship to the USA or Canada, so I was out of luck they gave me a full refund though. If youve got relatives in those countries you could get them to ship it to the UK.
Posted by: Chris | May 30, 2008 11:56:03 AM
it's good for children to use a notebook in early ages.thanks to the developers..
Posted by: firat ksr | May 30, 2008 1:38:24 PM
Please note that this is the developmental prototype, not the currently fielded model. The current model was aimed at being everything to everyone and ended up looking and behaving like a cheap toy. If they stick to the current prototype vision, even at 200 dollars this thing would sell like hot bread. I know I would buy a couple.
Posted by: Rey | May 30, 2008 3:25:16 PM
OSx IS Linux, Duh
Posted by: Theonly Smartone | May 30, 2008 6:15:19 PM
Totally agree with the positive comments, this could be really great if they don't repeat their biggest mistake from v1- trying to be everything to everyone.
Posted by: Ted Korolchuk | May 30, 2008 7:51:59 PM
Very impressive design... like a large, foldable iPhone. If this form is viable, I can see this being a huge hit... much better than the Speak N Spell looking thing I now own.
Posted by: Joe | May 30, 2008 7:59:16 PM
Why are we sending these overseas when kids in America can benefit from these first? Don’t you think we should help OUR own youth before we start to educate children in third world countries who may one day turn around and attack the US?
Posted by: Dante B. | May 31, 2008 6:57:25 PM
Just what third world countries need, more electronic waste from the first world.
Posted by: Geo8rge | May 31, 2008 11:12:27 PM
Where are the prototypes being tested? And how widespread; i.e., geographically and cross-culturally are the tests? Also, why is Windows the exclusive OS? Should there not be a charge? Finally, how can one make a charitable contribution to this excellent programme?
Posted by: C. Alexander Brown | Jun 3, 2008 8:12:42 PM
OSX is based on UCB UNIX.
.
Linux is just a hack copy of UNIX.
.
They are not the same.
.
Posted by: avraam jack | Jun 3, 2008 9:34:30 PM
"OSx IS Linux, Duh"
Somehow 'THEONLY SMARTONE' doesn't seem a very suitable name for the person who wrote that!
It's a bit like saying "German IS English, Duh" or "Arabic IS Hebrew, Duh".
I take it all back if you've managed to get Aqua working on your copy of Mandriva ;-)
Posted by: Nathan | Jun 4, 2008 3:39:30 PM