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OLPC [UPDATED: Don't forget the Asus Eee PC!]
- Thread starter bluebomberman
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mkrishnan
Moderator emeritus
I think there have been demos of Ubuntu running on it, yeah. It's actually also already running Linux, FWIW -- the native OS is a derivative of Fedora Core. The OS it actually comes with is rather interesting, although it can't do everything. And since most of the ones sold in the US are going into geek hands, it's a pretty safe bet that Ubuntu will be available almost immediately on it.
I have wanted one since I first heard about it. Count me in for one, uhh, two. The Pogue review only cemented it for me. I love/hate that guy!
More news: production delays.
Don't bet good money that you'll actually get your XO-1 laptop before the end of the year.
Don't bet good money that you'll actually get your XO-1 laptop before the end of the year.
Those of you considering a purchase of an XO laptop for personal use might want to take a closer look at the Asus Eee PC, which has been getting pretty decent press.
Newegg and a few other places has it, and some of the big retail chains might have it in time for the holidays. One concern I have is confusion between different flavors - there might be multiple flavors with more RAM, more or less storage, Windows preloaded, etc.
Newegg and a few other places has it, and some of the big retail chains might have it in time for the holidays. One concern I have is confusion between different flavors - there might be multiple flavors with more RAM, more or less storage, Windows preloaded, etc.
mkrishnan
Moderator emeritus
Yeah, it's pretty, and it's nicely specified for its price, but it's nothing particularly *special*. I had wanted the XO more for the concept than anything else. The delays are unfortunate... I have to think carefully on whether I want to try to get a space on the 12th.... Thanks for the link to that article.
EDIT: Yes, it's very confusing regarding EeePC models. I can't even really tell which of the models Newegg is carrying. It seems like a nice device for them, though. I hope it goes well. It would be more compelling if it had more battery life, like if it could push into the 5-6 hour range. Although the little tiny charger is a definite plus.
EDIT2: Well, after some digging and reading and thinking, I decided I did actually want to try the Asus Eee... So I ordered one from Newegg, which should come in tomorrow. It looks like XO is actually on target still, even with their production delay -- they sent out the reminder e-mail reiterating their Give 1 Get 1 program, and sweetening the pot with a year's free donated T-Mobile hotspot access. But, the XO weighs quite a bit more than the Eee, and it still seems too much of a moving target. I'm still very interested in it, though!
EDIT: Yes, it's very confusing regarding EeePC models. I can't even really tell which of the models Newegg is carrying. It seems like a nice device for them, though. I hope it goes well. It would be more compelling if it had more battery life, like if it could push into the 5-6 hour range. Although the little tiny charger is a definite plus.
EDIT2: Well, after some digging and reading and thinking, I decided I did actually want to try the Asus Eee... So I ordered one from Newegg, which should come in tomorrow. It looks like XO is actually on target still, even with their production delay -- they sent out the reminder e-mail reiterating their Give 1 Get 1 program, and sweetening the pot with a year's free donated T-Mobile hotspot access. But, the XO weighs quite a bit more than the Eee, and it still seems too much of a moving target. I'm still very interested in it, though!
andiwm2003
macrumors 601
just to revive this thread: who ordered a xo laptop from the one laptop per child program for $399?
http://www.laptopgiving.org/en/give-one-get-one.php
i'm just about to order one (ot two howerver you count). however they don't tell you the exact specifications that you get though.
does anybody know the details?
any problems to expect with a rev. a machine?
any programs out there to connect/sync with my mac?
thanks, for any input!
btw: i'm only interested in this program, not in alternative/better laptops. i want to support the olpc.
http://www.laptopgiving.org/en/give-one-get-one.php
i'm just about to order one (ot two howerver you count). however they don't tell you the exact specifications that you get though.
does anybody know the details?
any problems to expect with a rev. a machine?
any programs out there to connect/sync with my mac?
thanks, for any input!
btw: i'm only interested in this program, not in alternative/better laptops. i want to support the olpc.
themanfromvlad
macrumors 6502
Hi everyone,
I've used the OLPC twice now for work-related purposes. Any adult thinking about getting one for themselves should stop right now. This computer is not made for adults. It really is a perfect first computer for a child, I would say from age 5-10. I think a North American teenager over age 12 would become frustrated with this laptop.
The XO is designed to run one application at a time, anything more than that and the computer just doesn't run very well. It does have a fully-featured web-browser, but the text editor is very very basic. There's one GB of hard drive space (although you can add an SD card) so you wont be watching movies or listening music much.
Keep in mind that the XO laptop was designed for children to use in learning environment. The WiFi features and Mesh networking add significant value to this computer, but if you're not in a classrooom or school house surrounded by more XOs, they are pretty useless. The machine is very rugged, you can pour water on the keyboard and drop it without really worrying.
And don't think about buying this and then putting it on eBay. eBay is one of the founding sponsors of OLPC and has put the kibbosh on any XO-related auctions.
I've used the OLPC twice now for work-related purposes. Any adult thinking about getting one for themselves should stop right now. This computer is not made for adults. It really is a perfect first computer for a child, I would say from age 5-10. I think a North American teenager over age 12 would become frustrated with this laptop.
The XO is designed to run one application at a time, anything more than that and the computer just doesn't run very well. It does have a fully-featured web-browser, but the text editor is very very basic. There's one GB of hard drive space (although you can add an SD card) so you wont be watching movies or listening music much.
Keep in mind that the XO laptop was designed for children to use in learning environment. The WiFi features and Mesh networking add significant value to this computer, but if you're not in a classrooom or school house surrounded by more XOs, they are pretty useless. The machine is very rugged, you can pour water on the keyboard and drop it without really worrying.
And don't think about buying this and then putting it on eBay. eBay is one of the founding sponsors of OLPC and has put the kibbosh on any XO-related auctions.
mkrishnan
Moderator emeritus
Well, it seems that they did not end up selling out in fifteen minutes after all. I note that they are not promising delivery before the holidays at this point, although all indications are that they have truly begun volume manufacturing.
I wanted to get one as an experiment / toy, but ultimately decided not to do so. Maybe sometime in the future.
I did actually end up getting an Eee, which is quite far from perfect but very nice in many ways, and entertaining me greatly.
andiwm2003, I believe they are sticking with the fairly detailed specifications here:
http://laptop.org/laptop/hardware/specs.shtml
At least, I didn't hear there were any major changes. A few of the pieces still seem to be close to vapourware right now, though, such as the hand crank.
I wanted to get one as an experiment / toy, but ultimately decided not to do so. Maybe sometime in the future.
I did actually end up getting an Eee, which is quite far from perfect but very nice in many ways, and entertaining me greatly.
andiwm2003, I believe they are sticking with the fairly detailed specifications here:
http://laptop.org/laptop/hardware/specs.shtml
At least, I didn't hear there were any major changes. A few of the pieces still seem to be close to vapourware right now, though, such as the hand crank.
andiwm2003
macrumors 601
hm.....
$399 for a toy is a bit much. on the other hand it's something for my nephew as a starting computer...............
i'm torn because $399 is half of a used macbook. so it's expensive. and the fact that they are still available means that a lot of people think they are expensive.
well, there are two weeks left to think about it.
$399 for a toy is a bit much. on the other hand it's something for my nephew as a starting computer...............
i'm torn because $399 is half of a used macbook. so it's expensive. and the fact that they are still available means that a lot of people think they are expensive.
well, there are two weeks left to think about it.
I donated instead of getting an OLPC for myself, as I did not really see it suiting my needs.
Now I am looking at the EEE PC. My interest in the EEE has increased greatly since it is coming to light that there may be an expresscard slot. If I can put my Verizon broadband card in it somehow, then I plan to buy one. Can anyone confirm this, and if so, send me a PM as not to divert the thread? Thanks!
Now I am looking at the EEE PC. My interest in the EEE has increased greatly since it is coming to light that there may be an expresscard slot. If I can put my Verizon broadband card in it somehow, then I plan to buy one. Can anyone confirm this, and if so, send me a PM as not to divert the thread? Thanks!
andiwm2003
macrumors 601
well, part of why i want the olpc is that it is supposed to be very robust. so i can take it with me to the beach😀
you could also leave it in the car. eventually there should be a lot of simple productivity software. basically a kind of pda with a large screen.
mkrishnan
Moderator emeritus
Yeah, the OLPC is very durable compared to the Eee or anything else. Amazingly durable, from the David Pogue video!
The Eee would be very usable to a new user with basic needs who didn't need to use software. There are lots of things that are buggy or limited about the software that challenge more advanced users, but it generally works quite well for the basics. Boot time is amazing. Firefox, OOo, Pidgin, etc, all work great (GIMP and Audacity too, if you install them, and pretty good web cam in Skype if you install a beta). It can run several programs at once without difficulty. It's really rather impressive, considering it cost about $35 more than what I got for my 4-year-old iBook.
(Incidentally, an internal cellular card won't go into the Eee without modding it -- there is probably space, but you'll probably need to be willing to use a soldering iron... I think people have had some success with external ones, as well as with USB->BT adapters and phones under XP.)
The Eee would be very usable to a new user with basic needs who didn't need to use software. There are lots of things that are buggy or limited about the software that challenge more advanced users, but it generally works quite well for the basics. Boot time is amazing. Firefox, OOo, Pidgin, etc, all work great (GIMP and Audacity too, if you install them, and pretty good web cam in Skype if you install a beta). It can run several programs at once without difficulty. It's really rather impressive, considering it cost about $35 more than what I got for my 4-year-old iBook.
(Incidentally, an internal cellular card won't go into the Eee without modding it -- there is probably space, but you'll probably need to be willing to use a soldering iron... I think people have had some success with external ones, as well as with USB->BT adapters and phones under XP.)
rdowns
macrumors Penryn
I just got an email about this. I think I'm going to take the plunge and donate one and give the other to my 5 year old nephew.
This is also a nice perk....
Additionally, T-Mobile is offering donors one year of complimentary access to T-Mobile HotSpot locations throughout the United States, which can be used from any Wi-Fi-capable device, including the XO laptop.
This is also a nice perk....
Additionally, T-Mobile is offering donors one year of complimentary access to T-Mobile HotSpot locations throughout the United States, which can be used from any Wi-Fi-capable device, including the XO laptop.
I wish there was a program set up to provide these to children here in rural neglected parts of the US.
mkrishnan
Moderator emeritus
andiwm2003
macrumors 601
ok, i did it. now it's waiting for the shipping!
how do i get the t-Mobile hotspot access?
Payment Details
Transaction ID: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Item Price: $399.00 USD
Total Shipping: $24.95 USD
Total: $423.95 USD
Order Description: G1G1 program donation
Buyer: XXXXXXXXXXX
It may take a few moments for this transaction to appear in the Recent Activity list on your Account Overview.
Business Information
Business: OLPC Foundation
Contact E-Mail: paypal@laptop.org
how do i get the t-Mobile hotspot access?
Payment Details
Transaction ID: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Item Price: $399.00 USD
Total Shipping: $24.95 USD
Total: $423.95 USD
Order Description: G1G1 program donation
Buyer: XXXXXXXXXXX
It may take a few moments for this transaction to appear in the Recent Activity list on your Account Overview.
Business Information
Business: OLPC Foundation
Contact E-Mail: paypal@laptop.org
andiwm2003
macrumors 601
well, that is not too bad. i paid via paypal but i got only a payment confirmation from paypal. nothing from OLPC itself. do i have to worry?
how do you get the t-mobile hotspot access? does that work for canada as well?
UPDATE: got mmy xo laptop and its totally exciting. it.s a toy, but a serious one.
looks cute, internet works fine. i'm writing this on my xo. together with the one year t-mobile hotspot access for free a great deal.
the keyboard is a bit small and rubbery, it's not fast but extremely well buildt. together with a 4GB SD card it will be my favorite .pdf reader and websurfing machine that you can always leave in your car. kind of a large pda.
the Give 1 Get 1 deal is still on i think. so guy's: go for it! and i support the idea of OLPC to the fullest.
andi
robanga
macrumors 68000
I also got my OLPC mid part of this last week. I had ordered it on the first day that they were available on the give one/get one program.
Its really an amazing product considering the price. you can tell a lot of thought went into the industrial design. The ruggedness alone, it is not an easy feat on low cost products. The OS is basic and really pretty straight forward. The inclusion of the SD Slot is great, slap a 4GB card in there and away you go. The real test is on Tuesday when I give it to my kids for Christmas. There seem to be a lot of upcoming open source applications that the foundation is approving for use on the product.
Networking is simple and straight forward, the camera looks fine and the microphone records wonderfully. They are apparently doing a program where a kid in the US can connect with a kid in another country that also uses the laptop to "share in the learning" community. That sounds interesting.
Its a good cause and its a neat looking little computer.
Its really an amazing product considering the price. you can tell a lot of thought went into the industrial design. The ruggedness alone, it is not an easy feat on low cost products. The OS is basic and really pretty straight forward. The inclusion of the SD Slot is great, slap a 4GB card in there and away you go. The real test is on Tuesday when I give it to my kids for Christmas. There seem to be a lot of upcoming open source applications that the foundation is approving for use on the product.
Networking is simple and straight forward, the camera looks fine and the microphone records wonderfully. They are apparently doing a program where a kid in the US can connect with a kid in another country that also uses the laptop to "share in the learning" community. That sounds interesting.
Its a good cause and its a neat looking little computer.