Jobs offers Mac OS X for $100 Laptop

[egor]

Isn't a laptop a luxury?? Why are we giving this to school children not in our own countries? Why can't we just continue to build schools and provide aid in the form of food and medicine? They wouldn't be able to afford the power even if it was availible.

This makes no sense. Like buying everyone in Cambodia $500 cars just to see if they can get out of poverty.

Dammit people.. the laptops are self-powering, likely to be powered by winding them up.. like the wind-up radios that have helped people in poverty so much.

"We"?!? Its being provided by multi-national corporations.

Schools? This is for schools, laptops can greatly improve education, in many ways they can save money on text books, paper (much of which parents have to buy) and are always up to date with the latest information (theoretically).. also prepare kids for perhaps even city jobs, jobs that will help the country's economy, etc.

 

[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.

 

[egor]

This was not just Steve Jobs giving heart, this was a mighty business opportunity. Don't you see that in Steve Jobs offering Mac OS X for children of developing nations, they have a chance of getting into Mac, rather than Windows, and thus there is a massive market there for Mac in the future. I've been saying all along that this is why Apple needs to get more into the education market (outside the US) - people tend to stick to what they grew up with. Don't just rely on people switching - get them hooked from the beginning!

EDIT: This $100 laptop was talked about at least a year ago. I think it's a good idea because it means that children in the developing countries - their future - don't get behind on technology. You could say that basic amenities should come first, but this is in addition to all of that.

Is it possible that this is why it was declined though.. that they don't want to make this a business issue? I agree on the thought behind it though, Microsoft is looking at the developing world, linux is already stamped over much of it.. can such companies afford to let this happen?!?

 

[bigandy]

go read the website before you go too far slamming it.

http://laptop.media.mit.edu/

 

[revjay]

I can't believe they declined it! So, you are going to force the less fortunate of the world to suffer with an overly complex and inferior OS? I thought the whole idea was to help people not push your stupid open source idealism.

Check the source for this info: http://laptop.media.mit.edu/ Repeated throughout this website is that the only capability the $100 laptop does not have that a $1000 laptop does is the ability to store 'lots of information ...aka no hard drive...info stored solid state...I don't know about your version of OSX but OSX on my computer seems to take up a lot of space...I think Steve was bluffing...but he will likely come out smelling like roses!

 

[thedude110]

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.

 

[visor]

To be really honest with you all...

I truely belive that Computers for children, say below 10 years, are a really bad idea. There is absolutely no need for them to learn with a laptop - they do it all well with pen and paper. maybe go out and look at a plant in real live, rather than looking at a darn picture.

I can already picture them growing not up, but forward, bending into the screen. If they ever happen to see any plant, they'll wonder where the powerbutton is.

 

[ManchesterTrix]

Isn't a laptop a luxury?? Why are we giving this to school children not in our own countries? Why can't we just continue to build schools and provide aid in the form of food and medicine? They wouldn't be able to afford the power even if it was availible.

This makes no sense. Like buying everyone in Cambodia $500 cars just to see if they can get out of poverty.

You should actually read about the initiative.

 

[plinden]

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.

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.

 

[Arcus]

Red Hat is dead. Fedora is the free replacement. I would have rather seen them choose Ubuntu. (Obviously my top would have been X)

RH = Metallica. They used to be cool before going corporate.

 

[MrJohnson]

I just want to point out that the people working on this project attend or work at MIT. More than likely they're smarter than you and are making the right decision.


Also by choosing Linux they can completly customize the system from the kernel up.

 

[Bonte]

Lease

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

Totally agree, this is no less then a warning to all. The overall conception on the web is Apple not licensing there OS but this offer is a clear YES. Glad to hear Apple is not doing something dumb like not licensing there OS.

 

[kwajo.com]

apple should find a way of using their great strap/ac adaptor combo. that thing is brilliant7

 

[kwajo.com]

Totally agree, this is no less then a warning to all. The overall conception on the web is Apple not licensing there OS but this offer is a clear YES. Glad to hear Apple is not doing something dumb like not licensing there OS.

i disagree, licensing is not really in apple's best interest, and this doesn't say anything about it either way. it's just an offer to be part of an innovative program, and a closed system one at that, so it's not a sign of future software licenses

 

[nagromme]

Isn't a laptop a luxury?? Why are we giving this to school children not in our own countries? Why can't we just continue to build schools and provide aid in the form of food and medicine? They wouldn't be able to afford the power even if it was availible.

A COMPUTER is not a luxury, it's a requirement to have skills for the future. And a hand-cranked laptop is portable and requires no external power.

Lastly--even if you object to charity, these aren't being "given." They are being made at low cost and sold for $100.

I truely belive that Computers for children, say below 10 years, are a really bad idea. There is absolutely no need for them to learn with a laptop - they do it all well with pen and paper. maybe go out and look at a plant in real live, rather than looking at a darn picture.

I can already picture them growing not up, but forward, bending into the screen. If they ever happen to see any plant, they'll wonder where the powerbutton is.

Why would these laptops only be for children under 10? Older children would make more sense. And nobody's suggesting that these laptops replace all other aspects of a child's life.

...aka no hard drive...info stored solid state...I don't know about your version of OSX but OSX on my computer seems to take up a lot of space...

True--but solid state storage is getting cheaper. The day will come before too long when OS X plus a few apps plus 5 GB free storage can be done affordably without a HD. (And Linux plus apps plus storage isn't exactly small either.)

 

[dongmin]

Information[/url] on what the machines actually are.

Gotta say, their design is pretty rad. It's a tablet-pvp-computer that's durable and super portable. I'd love to see Apple put out something like that. Put in a bigger screen and add a bit more horsepower and charge $300. OS X would take over the world.

 

[neutrino23]

I think this was a generous offer by Steve. Perhaps since last years brush with death he feels his mortality a little more now.

I've heard of this project before and have thought it was a bad idea. Not a bad idea to supply computers to the third world, but a bad idea to create a special computer for the third world. Better to find the financing and give them first world technology otherwise they wind up in their own software cul-de-sac.

It would have been wonderful to let them use a somewhat simplified version of OS X. Just cut back on some of the graphics needs and you're there.

Memory is so cheap that by the time they ever get this project off the ground they'll be able to supply 256MB of RAM and a few tens of gigs of HD with this laptop.

I'm mixed on the idea of making these popular. Probably it would be good to have some of these spread around with internet connections. As long as each classroom/city hall/library etc. has one with an internet connection that could be a big boost for spreading all sorts of information.

 

[jared_kipe]

As for the pictures, where the hell is the hand crank gonna be? And a tablet screen? for under 100usd? I can't see that happening.

 

[RIP]

100 Dollar Laptop

http://www.palm.com/us/products/handhelds/z22/

 

[LimeiBook86]

This is nice and all but, I think that things like food, clean water, and shelters are better to start with, then get some laptops to them

Steve Jobs' heart was in the right place, too bad they didn't accept. Hope those kids like Linux /fsck!

 

[Rivix]

I dont even own a laptop yet, and people in third world contries are getting some?

Good Idea tho.

 

[mac-er]

... governments... are the likely purchasers. In bulk.

Yea, we know where these laptops would end up with these type of governments buying them.....anywhere but in the hands of the people who would need them. Govt's of developing countries aren't typically concerned with the welfare of their citizens. Gov'ts in Africa are among the most corrupt in the world. Look at North Korea....you think he would supply the laptops he bought to his people? He doesn't even supply them with food.

Who are the IT guys or computer engineers today?

Indians. {joke}

 

[mac-er]

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.

Then those aren't the 3rd world countries this program is intended to help.

 

[Mr_Ed]

...
I've heard of this project before and have thought it was a bad idea. Not a bad idea to supply computers to the third world, but a bad idea to create a special computer for the third world. Better to find the financing and give them first world technology otherwise they wind up in their own software cul-de-sac.
...

I agree with you on this. I think long term, it will limit their options on software tools. Then again, their software options are probably fairly mimited by hardware constraints already based on the specs I was reading. As long as someone is willing to create software for the kids using this box they will have applications, but how many would be willing to invest the time to write an application for a system that by its very design is intended for an audience that cannot afford to pay? Not saying there are none who would contribute to such an effort, just pointing out some of the realities involved.

http://www.palm.com/us/products/handhelds/z22/

I can't tell if you were trying to be funny, but I kind of like this idea At least a ruggedized, alternative power version of this would be appropriate.

 

[winmacguy]

Wow.. that's pretty rad.

But you'd see people going to those countries and a rash of the $100 laptops on eBay or something.

One Laptop Per Child sounds like a really good program though. Maybe Apple will donate some money their way?

Katie I take it you like Chuck Norris

On a more serious note this little quote suprises me
"Mr. Negroponte discussed the project last week with Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates and Craig Mundie, chief technical officer of advanced strategies and policy. "We're in serious discussions to determine what the appropriate type of involvement is with us with their project," says Mr. Mundie.

Yet... "Steve Jobs, Apple Computer Inc.'s chief executive, offered to provide free copies of the company's operating system, OS X, for the machine, according to Seymour Papert, a professor emeritus at MIT who is one of the initiative's founders. "We declined because it's not open source," says Dr. Papert, noting the designers want an operating system that can be tinkered with"..... OK, I know they went for Linux but how is Microsoft more "non proprietry" than OS X ? for things like word, excel, power point etc you just use OpenOffice for Mac.