$100 computer will be a reality - prototype revealed

[maxterpiece]

I really want one these. Too bad they aren't going to be on sale ofr consumers. You can read the screen in the sun. It uses 2 watts of electricity on avg. It has wifi. It's tiny - 7.5" screen. It runs a custom made linux environment. These things double as network extenders, so if one person has internet, s/he expands the network another 300 ft. or whatever. They automtaically network and allow video chat through integrated video camera. It uses a flash drive for storage. It can operate on a crank which provides 10 minutes of power for every 1 minute of extertion. They will begin production in mid 2007.

It's lime green reminds me of my old key lime ibook!

nyt article link

 

[Queso]

Absolutely brilliant. I hope they really take off all over the developing world.

One thing though, anyone know of a wind-up charger for a PowerBook, iPod or mobile? Seems like a gap in the market to me.

 

[dcv]

One thing though, anyone know of a wind-up charger for a PowerBook, iPod or mobile? Seems like a gap in the market to me.

Now there's an idea... maybe some sort of exercise-bike contraption to power your notebook, complete with Nike+ kit type of thing?

Burn while you spam™

 

[Jay42]

Absolutely brilliant. I hope they really take off all over the developing world.

One thing though, anyone know of a wind-up charger for a PowerBook, iPod or mobile? Seems like a gap in the market to me.

You must have really strong arms.


This is sort of old news though.... (the laptop)

 

[Queso]

You must have really strong arms.

Or just want them

 

[SpookTheHamster]

I've never been able to see the need for these computers. To me they seem like doing something just for the sake of it. I'm glad that most of the countries they're targeting seem to realise the same thing, the amount of money they'd have to spend (minimum order is 1m) could be far better spent on things other than teaching children to use an extremely limited computer.

 

[beatsme]

Absolutely brilliant. I hope they really take off all over the developing world.

finally we can bombard them with pornography and spam

 

[crazycat]

I would think clean running water and food would be more important then a computer, they can use for what again?

 

[Allotriophagy]

I would think clean running water and food would be more important then a computer, they can use for what again?

Which is why the OLPC, in addition to condensing clean and pure drinking water from the air, is 100% edible.

 

[thewhitehart]

I think it's brilliant for everyday children in any country, it seems like a great idea to assist classroom learning from age 7 to 13, at least.

 

[savar]

I would think clean running water and food would be more important then a computer, they can use for what again?

The premise is that in the 21st century, it's no longer required for countries to go through an "industrial revolution" in order to drive industry. In theory, nations can skip that and go straight to "information revolution" to build strong economies.

Certainly, it would be absurd to give these laptops to kids that are starving or lacking medical care. We need to address basic needs first. But there are plenty of places in the world where very basic needs are being met and not much else beyond that. In those places, giving kids free computers might go a long way to ramping up the economy in about 20-30 years.

Frankly, in this day and age, I think everybody needs to be raised with computers. Kids that don't have that exposure will be at such a disadvantage in the global market. Just think about how the average grandparent uses a computer -- with trepidation and frustration. Growing up with technology makes it intuitive and natural, the same way my grandfather could build a car from nuts and bolts, but his dad couldn't even drive.

 

[Queso]

finally we can bombard them with pornography and spam

One of the benefits of globalisation

 

[iMeowbot]

I would think clean running water and food would be more important then a computer, they can use for what again?

It wasn't about food and water, but Thailand scrapped the program on the premise that it didn't have "substance". on the other hand, there is probably going to be a lot of change for the sake of change there, coups get silly like that.