Jobs offers Mac OS X for $100 Laptop

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif

The Wall Street Journal reports on an initiative to develop a $100 laptop targetted at school children in developing nations. A non-profit organization called One Laptop Per Child has been formed to oversee the project with plans to put the laptop into the hands of 100-150 million children.

The $100 design remains a challenge and has not yet been solidified, but due to the scope of the project has drawn interest from many industry leaders, including Microsoft and Apple.

According to the WSJ, Steve Jobs offered to provide Mac OS X for free for the upcoming machine. The offer was declined, however, as they were looking for a 100% opensource solution. This offer, however, was only possible as Mac OS X is now capable of running on the x86 architecture as well as the PowerPC. The new $100 laptop will be powered by an AMD processor running Red Hat Linux.

[hayesk]

Refusing was a good idea. MacOS X would never run well on this machine, and they'd have to rely on (i.e. wait for) Apple for updates whenever they wanted to rev the machine.

[Some_Big_Spoon]

I respectfully disagree. The machines aren't designed to be "'rev'ed" and there's no more developed, stable, GUIed OS out there. Drivers are built in, machine has virtually infinte up time, protected memory support, seamless networking.. the list goes on.

I really fail to see how Red Hat can provide this. I've used Red Hat for years and even at the professional level it requires an immense amount of tinkering and tuning. I think they were high on the open-source hog and the "it's good enough" ethic that holds back computer usage/expertise.

Originally Posted by hayesk

Refusing was a good idea. MacOS X would never run well on this machine, and they'd have to rely on (i.e. wait for) Apple for updates whenever they wanted to rev the machine.

[Peace]

I think some people are missing the real point to this.
Jobs offered OSX.We dont know if that version was OSx86 or PPC or for that matter a new type streamlined build.
The real point here is Jobs offered it.
This tells me his mindset..
Somewhere in the back of his brain he's contemplating releasing OSx86 for "specific" types of hardware..
In 2 years OSx86 will be on a LOT of computers.Legally.
Just my $.02

[SpaceMagic]

Very Interesting...

Doesn't this mean Apple is willing to break its DRM to allow OS X to run on non-Apple hardware... if Apple can do that, hackers will find a way too.

This seems way too much like a marketing ploy more than anything. Give millions of these machines out with OS X and then the market will boom! The main reason why people buy Windows PCs over Macs is because they think macs aren't compatible. Give millions of kids Macs and they'll only buy macs in the future, and their friends and their friend's friend.

[DMann]

This may well be a sign that steve is
ever so possibly willing lease OS X
in the future......

[WeBleed4Real]

For a $100 laptop, you have to buy your own:

1. RAM
2. Hard drive
3. Keyboard and mouse (no trackpad included)
4. External speaker (no built in)
5. Power cord

[liketom]

this news story is there just to warm us Mac faithfull of the future of Mac OS

Mac OS on x86 will happen on all PC's

[mac-er]

Cute idea, but I'd rather see the money go to more important things (like feeing them or giving them vaccines/cures) than making sure they have a computer.

1. I don't think these kids are concerned about getting a laptop when their parents are dying of AIDS or they are worried about where their next meal is coming from.

2. Linux is a little over-the-head of the average user....do you think these kids will have any idea how to use it?

[nagromme]

Originally Posted by mac-er

1. I don't think these kids are concerned about getting a laptop when their parents are dying of AIDS or they are worried about where their next meal is coming from.

I think these countries--for their kids' sake--ARE concerned about education, computer literacy, interconnection with the rest of the world, and training kids to go into math, science, medicine, etc. The basic needs you mention are indeed vital, but you can't JUST solve the short-term crisis of the moment, you ALSO have to look at the long term. Putting money into both directions is very sensible--it shouldn't ALL go into basic needs or nothing can ever really improve.

Originally Posted by mac-er

2. Linux is a little over-the-head of the average user....do you think these kids will have any idea how to use it?

They wouldn't have to install/maintain it, but they'd be able to use whatever simple shell was placed on top of it. Anything that is called for could be designed, and I bet lots of people would contribute to such open-source projects.

Originally Posted by MacTruck

These kids will only buy a $100 laptop if it comes with a weeks worth of food. How the hell are they going to come up with $100?

This isn't just for kids to buy directly Schools and governments and non-profits are the likely purchasers. In bulk.

No matter what, a laptop for $100 instead of $600 is a big step--and being able to run without external power is important too.

[JeffTL]

Originally Posted by mac-er

Cute idea, but I'd rather see the money go to more important things (like feeing them or giving them vaccines/cures) than making sure they have a computer.

1. I don't think these kids are concerned about getting a laptop when their parents are dying of AIDS or they are worried about where their next meal is coming from.

2. Linux is a little over-the-head of the average user....do you think these kids will have any idea how to use it?

You do realize that not the entire developing world is as bad off as the Sudan or somesuch? The adult HIV/AIDS prevalence in Brazil (one of the countries most interested in this project) is only 0.7%, literacy is 86.4%, and life expectancy at birth is 71.69 years. Poverty is 22% -- almost a third of Niger's 63%, but not that much worse than the UK at 17% or

In contrast, HIV/AIDS in the United States is 0.6%, literacy is 97%, poverty is 12%. Definitely better on literacy and poverty, but HIV isn't really that worse in Brazil than it is in the United States.

Remember, also, that it's called the "developing" world for a reason -- it has a potential to become "developed." The purpose of projects such as this is to accelerate that process. At any rate, though, it is reductionism at its worst to paint the entire developing world with such a broad brush as to imply that it is entirely squalid, starving, and AIDS-riddled in its entirity. There are such places; Brazil isn't really that much worse than the United States, compared to some places.

(Stats source: CIA World Factbook)

When it comes to Linux, once it's set up properly it's not hard to use at all.

[topgunn]

An ever increasing number of jobs require at least some computer skills. Imagine what will be required in 5, 10, or 20 years. There is already a large disparity between the haves and the have nots when it comes to education. This is an attempt to help level the playing field in that respect.

Who are the IT guys or computer engineers today? Most of them are kids who had a computer at home at an early age. How is developing a inexpensive laptop for disadvantaged youth a bad thing? And I really hate the argument that we have bigger things to worry about. It is horrible thing that has happened to the growing number of AIDs orphans in our country and others around the world but should we get rid of the space program to devote more money to this cause? No. Should we do away with goverment supported student financial aid to allow more money to be used for feeding the nation's hungry? There are many worthy areas to send our dollars, both tax and personal.

Linux is not difficult to use although it can be difficult to setup. These computers will be very user friendly and will allow the kids to do anything they could do on a $1000 Windows laptop.

And more than likely it is not the kids or their parents that will be buying the machines. Rather, the will be paid for by generous individuals that feel this is a worthwhile cause.

[thedude110]

Originally Posted by mac-er

Cute idea, but I'd rather see the money go to more important things (like feeing them or giving them vaccines/cures) than making sure they have a computer.

Don't underestimate the impact of technology on education, and don't underestimate the power of education to reshape a culture.

I'm teaching Walden today.

My kids have no laptops, and they hate Walden.

[plinden]

Originally Posted by mac-er

Cute idea, but I'd rather see the money go to more important things (like feeing them or giving them vaccines/cures) than making sure they have a computer.

1. I don't think these kids are concerned about getting a laptop when their parents are dying of AIDS or they are worried about where their next meal is coming from.

To clear up some misconceptions. Despite what you see on TV (if you don't turn off foreign news) the vast majority of the world's population are living in areas where there is actually enough food, and where a majority of the people are not dying of AIDS or other endemic diseases, and where governments and society are stable enough to provide at least basic education and medical care.

These laptops are not going to be sent in place of food aid to famine or disaster areas. Rather, they will be available, probably through donations, to schools where it will make some difference. Of course $100 is still out of the reach of most people, but $1000 is much more out of their reach and a $1000,000 grant would provide one to 10,000 rather than 1,000 children.

As for what you would get for $100 ...You won't be able to play Doom 3 or run Final Cut Pro on them, but they will at least provide the opportunity for basic computer literacy and internet access.

Originally Posted by mac-er

2. Linux is a little over-the-head of the average user....do you think these kids will have any idea how to use it?

Linux is a remarkably flexible OS. I would hope the distro being used would be modified to be suitable. Ever tried Knoppix, booting from a CD? That's a very usable and stable distro. A modified read-only Knoppix would provide plenty of power with the safeguard of not being able to be corrupted by curious minds.

[Evangelion]

Originally Posted by mac-er

1. I don't think these kids are concerned about getting a laptop when their parents are dying of AIDS or they are worried about where their next meal is coming from.

So we should just give them handouts and food so they could live another day, instead of trying to empower them to help themselves? These laptops could really boost their education, and it would enable them to do lots and lots of different things, which would be a significanty boost for them in the long run. Pumping food there would only enable them to live for another 24 hours, with zero possibility of them getting on their feet.

2. Linux is a little over-the-head of the average user....do you think these kids will have any idea how to use it?

Linux might be difficult for those who have been brought up using Windows. But fact is that today Linux is very easy to use, and it has all the apps you could want. For the most part, Linux "just works", and it does that better than Windows does.

[ajbrehm]

Originally Posted by mac-er

2. Linux is a little over-the-head of the average user....do you think these kids will have any idea how to use it?

Yes. Linux is actually very easy to use if you are not used to the Windows or Mac way of life.

If a computer doesn't have many peripherals, who cares whether installing them is easy (Mac OS), doable (Windows), or difficult (Linux)?

But clicking on icons or typing commands is as easy in Linux as in Windows (typing commands is easier).

[MacWrath]

Originally Posted by mac-er

Cute idea, but I'd rather see the money go to more important things (like feeing them or giving them vaccines/cures) than making sure they have a computer.

1. I don't think these kids are concerned about getting a laptop when their parents are dying of AIDS or they are worried about where their next meal is coming from.

2. Linux is a little over-the-head of the average user....do you think these kids will have any idea how to use it?

I agree but... you'd be surprised how important the internet (and computers in general) are to developing cultures. A friend spent time in Kosovo, the Balkans, etc. teaching orphans and many of the areas had better access than your local coffee shop.

The real problem is (as many have said here) is that of the black market and the eventual destruction of Apple via pirates, etc. Hell, I'd buy a $200 (considering a 100% mark up) OS X laptop!

But this all smacks of the movie (book first), "The First 20 Million Is The Hardest". They couldn't crack the C Note mark either. It was just a project to keep the unwanted busy. The company owner made his money from hardware (sound familiar?) and would never let it happen no matter how feasible in terms of engineering it was.

The further commoditization of the computer in terms of the $100 price point is something that hardware makers everywhere will probably fight. How many manufacturers would instantly drop out because there would no longer be a market for anything over $500 in the consumer market? Once it can be done it will be done. Yes, these would be the Yugos of the computer world. Most PCs are crap anyway (we're talking about the hardware - the mainstream OSes are a given). Lowering the standards will only make them more crappy. Let them have Windows or Linux on their junk hardware. It's only fitting. And before you Linux lovers start the flaming me my only point is that Apple will benefit by their exclusion not that Linux is a crappy OS. I don't believe that it is. Just that it is not in the league with the Mac OS (where computer illiterates are concerned) and still years behind it in usability. Windows on the other hand is crap.

The bottom line is that no one should care what OS the these cheapie boxes are running as long as it isn't theirs. Who would be willing to support millions upon millions of users who neither paid for the OS nor had the money for extended support on sup-par hardware? No one with an ounce of business sense. I believe that Apple/Jobs did it merely as PR ploy in that they didn't want to appear to be "leaving the children of the world behind" as that would seriously threaten Jobs image and position politically as a limousine liberal.

If they are really serious about this the OS should be only a few lines long and everything else exists in cyberspace. These kids only need them as a tool for learning and communication (back to my friends experiences); not games and porn.

[MacsRgr8]

Originally Posted by liketom

Mac OS on x86 will happen on all PC's

IMHO if it is technichally feasible......then it will happen; i.e. how much Apple will try to avoid Mac OS X on "non-compatible" x86 hardware, it will be done anyway.

Apple would like to hold on to the control of compatible hardware, but the DevKit Mac OS X86 10.4.1 has been installed on non-devKit Mac x86-PCs all over the place.... likewise the "final" commercial product.

We'll have te get used to it....

[liketom]

Originally Posted by WeBleed4Real

For a $100 laptop, you have to buy your own:

1. RAM
2. Hard drive
3. Keyboard and mouse (no trackpad included)
4. External speaker (no built in)
5. Power cord

so your buying a laptop case then ? with a screen that is

[DCBass]

Seems to me to be more of a PR move than anything.

I'm sure Stevie knew they would reject him. Then again, if they accepted, that's a whole lotta good karma to pass around apple.

[Jimmni]

Seems to me this was most likely an offer made with (probably complete) certainty that it would be refused. Jobs will have known that they'd not allow themselves to be dependent on Apple, and that OS X wouldn't run well enough. So why make the offer? Well, great press for one thing. Karma points for ol' Steve. It's important Apple try to keep an image of generosity and caring as the OS X/Vista battle draws nearer. Gates might donate billions to charity, but people rarely remember that when their PC crashes.

[geese]

This story does sound odd.

A $100 laptop is going to be very basic. Look what is says on the BBC site about it: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4292854.stm

Its basically going to have a weak CPU powered by a handcrank! I doubt the screen could handle more then 256 colours, and i doubt the graphics card is going to handle expose very well.

So either this was an empty gesture by Jobs or he was going to license some of OS X technology for free. Maybe allow them to build the Linux OS atop of Darwin.

And for anyone wondering why developing kids would need a laptop there is a very compelling reason. An improved telecoms and IT infrastructure is currently the best hope for improving the lot of the developing world. The mobile phone has been responsible for major improvements for the poor (see link . Greater communications can improve teaching, save on textbooks, and allow nations to develop their own IT industry. Imagine how much more benificial it would be to developing countries of they developed their own Linux and applications, rather then buying (or pirating) Windows?

Just look at India as an example. This is a GOOD project.

[Abstract]

Originally Posted by Jimmni

Seems to me this was most likely an offer made with (probably complete) certainty that it would be refused. Jobs will have known that they'd not allow themselves to be dependent on Apple, and that OS X wouldn't run well enough. So why make the offer? Well, great press for one thing. Karma points for ol' Steve. It's important Apple try to keep an image of generosity and caring as the OS X/Vista battle draws nearer. Gates might donate billions to charity, but people rarely remember that when their PC crashes.

I agree.

Jobsy made the offer because MS made the offer, and both knew they would get denied because it wasn't what the project was after. Not at all. If you've ever seen the concept for this machine, you'd know that it wouldn't barely be able to run Windows 95, let alone XP or OS X.

And if they took the deal, they have locked themselves into the market of many poor nations, and if they were to ever become "second-world" countries, or even 1st world countries and not be in complete poverty, Apple knows they'll be getting their business, and they'd pay next time.

Originally Posted by katie ta achoo

yeah, but throw in some RAM and put windows (ew) on it, and you have a pretty good all-purpose laptop for your grammaw or something. (you know, the one that can't program her VCR. )

They would also start getting the type of viruses that they've never even heard of.

[savar]

Originally Posted by WeBleed4Real

For a $100 laptop, you have to buy your own:

1. RAM
2. Hard drive
3. Keyboard and mouse (no trackpad included)
4. External speaker (no built in)
5. Power cord

What? Are you quoting actual specifications? My understanding is that the most recent prototype, which was a litlte under $200, had a compact flash drive instead of magnetic drive, no mouse or speaker, but did have a keyboard, trackpad, and power cord, as well as a hand-crank generator. basically, it was ready to use off the shelf, but with compromises made in order to meet such a radically low price point.

[lolex]

Originally Posted by WeBleed4Real

For a $100 laptop, you have to buy your own:

1. RAM
2. Hard drive
3. Keyboard and mouse (no trackpad included)
4. External speaker (no built in)
5. Power cord

good quote