$100 Laptop Expected in Late 2006

[t_ginuwine]

http://laptop.media.mit.edu/images/laptop-handside.jpg
http://laptop.media.mit.edu/images/laptop-hands.jpg
http://laptop.media.mit.edu/images/laptop-ebook.jpg

What is the $100 Laptop, really?
The proposed $100 machine will be a Linux-based, full-color, full-screen laptop that will use innovative power (including wind-up) and will be able to do most everything except store huge amounts of data. This rugged laptop will be WiFi-enabled and have USB ports galore. Its current specifications are: 500MHz, 1GB, 1 Megapixel.

[Evil Techie]

oh this is that MIT one eh?
cool that theyve finally got a prototype out

looks pretty kid friendly
and that hand crank might be a hot seller
lol

hmm, what im worrying about more are kids that even have enuf food and clean water
a computer means nothing to them if they dont even have the basic necessities

[FastFokker]

Not everyone can solve all the world's problems, but at least this is a step in the right direction towards humanitarian equality.

As horrible as the world is, it's nice to see there are so many people still trying.

Heck, in a couple years when Canada falls into a deep recession, these computers may come in handy for us.

[furbaby]

how can they afford a computer if they only make less than a dollar a week

[Bordello]

how can they afford a computer if they only make less than a dollar a week
It'll be given out for free from the government or private sponsors.

[hyperion]

Is the target market some 3rd world country?

[UrbanPoet]

oh this is that MIT one eh?
cool that theyve finally got a prototype out

looks pretty kid friendly
and that hand crank might be a hot seller
lol

hmm, what im worrying about more are kids that even have enuf food and clean water
a computer means nothing to them if they dont even have the basic necessities

hey.... remember Education is a start. they can find ways to get jobs, get industries going, and spark economies in ecomically desolate countries.

[yayawhoo2003]

I heard rumblings that in a few years they plan to release these to the general public all over the world. Dont know if its true or not.

[aquariaguy]

I can't picture a poor child in Africa having one of these. Will the corrupt African governments really buy these? Hmm............................. they already steal the money donated to them. I think this will be popular in North America once its out........to get little kids their own computers. Whats the point of WIFI too in Africa? Do they even have electricity in some villages, or even a router?!!?? Let alone, water? Seems like they have to get their priorities straight.

I can see this being donated by western countries, but it will be useless in the end. Why not send them books and stuff? Writing material? I don't see how this computer will enhance their knowledge if they can't use it to the fullest potential.

[furbaby]

:arrowu: ya, if their parents are dying of AIDS, and they're left to take care of their siblings, will they even have the time to use the computers?

[StrayB]

Um, yea.

It's not meant for the poorest of the poor. It's a teaching aid for places where schools have already been established. If an AP is set up in the school, then the amount of info available to the students is practically unlimited, and would also be up to date.

[Anessa]

watch the computers get appropriated and used by terrorists to detonate bombs or what not.

[divx]

Is the target market some 3rd world country?
Probably but I will buy one for my 5 yr old bro if it's sold here ;)
Such a great toy.

[divx]

I guess even if they don't sell it in NA, we can still by it. I can almost guarantee that poor people would sell the free laptops to buy food/water.

[FastFokker]

The ignorance of members on this site, coming from highly developed and educated countries, simply amazes me.

AMAZING! :|

[ephemera]

This isn't possible. How can they manufacture a laptop for less than $100? Who will finance this? Plus they will just hand them out mostly for free. Its great if they can do it but I seriously doubt this otherwise we would see right now $100 laptops at BB and FS.

I think a better idea is to build schools and have good textbooks for students. You don't 'learn' from a laptop. Its a toy.

[FastFokker]

It's to help level the world's playing field and highly required.

These laptops are not equivalent to a first world $1000 laptop, they are limited in their functionality, though abundant in durability.

Read the articles, they explain it all in full detail.


I seriously doubt this otherwise we would see right now $100 laptops at BB and FS.
Since when did BB and FS start opening up locations in impoverished locales?

[devious9191]

watch the computers get appropriated and used by terrorists to detonate bombs or what not.

lol. You would think that if they could afford to put together or purchase a bomb, they could just go and pay $1000 for a computer, no? I don't think that particular expense is much of a deterrent.

[FastFokker]

*sigh*

North America is hopeless.. we are falling behind on everything, especially intellect.

Thank goodness we're developing technology for the poor, because we'll need it soon.

[sleepyguy]

I concur with you... if education is the key... you need people, resources and cash. A laptop isn't gonna solve anything.


This isn't possible. How can they manufacture a laptop for less than $100? Who will finance this? Plus they will just hand them out mostly for free. Its great if they can do it but I seriously doubt this otherwise we would see right now $100 laptops at BB and FS.

I think a better idea is to build schools and have good textbooks for students. You don't 'learn' from a laptop. Its a toy.

[FastFokker]

*sigh #2*

and I quote:


The MIT Media Lab has launched a new research initiative to develop a $100 laptop—a technology that could revolutionize how we educate the world's children. To achieve this goal, a new, non-profit association, One Laptop per Child (OLPC), has been created. The initiative was first announced by Nicholas Negroponte, Lab chairman and co-founder, at the World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland in January 2005.
and furthermore:


How will this initiative be structured?
The $100 laptop is being developed by One Laptop per Child (OLPC), an independent, non-profit association based on the "constructionist" theories of learning pioneered by Seymour Papert and later Alan Kay. It is totally separate from MIT, with its own board, executives, location, and staff. Its founding members are AMD, Brightstar, Google, News Corporation, and Red Hat, all of whom have funded both OLPC and the MIT Media Lab.

OLPC is funding research at the Media Lab focused on developing the $100 Laptop.

The three principals at MIT are faculty members at the Media Lab: Nicholas Negroponte (a founder of the Lab), Joe Jacobson (serial entrepreneur, co-founder and director of E Ink), and Seymour Papert (one of the world's leading theorists on child learning).

Additional researchers include: Mike Bove, Mary Lou Jepsen, Alan Kay, Tod Machover, Mitchel Resnick, and Ted Selker.

I just hope the kids who receive these $100 laptops will have better google-ing skills than those with the $1000 laptops on this forum.

[(Bean)]

http://money.cnn.com/2005/11/16/technology/laptop_fortune/laptop_100_MIT.03.jpg

Just noticed this interesting device. Don't think it is meant for our tech level, (500 mhz) but what an upgrade to poorer countries education if he can pull it off. I especially like the crank on the side for places with no electricity (1 min of turning = 10 min laptop usage). I have no idea how places without electricity will be able to take advantage of the wifi internet.

http://money.cnn.com/2005/11/16/technology/laptop_fortune/

[reqle55]

*sigh #2*

and I quote:


and furthermore:



I just hope the kids who receive these $100 laptops will have better google-ing skills than those with the $1000 laptops on this forum.




Not ranting on you or anything, but wow...you seem very bitter and disappointed with the comments made by other members!!!!

[bokep]

it looks like those leapfrog toys on steroids...

what the hell is the point of this? even us here get through school fine with pens and notebooks. as ephemera said, the money should go to building schools and making textbooks instead.

it's a very well designed laptop, very ambitious, and for a good cause; but i think it's a waste.

and someone will figure out ways to put games in these things, and then kids will end up playing games instead of studying with them.

[kingsley]

I'm going to buy one.

[siriuskao]

AFAIK, this is only for 3rd world country only so you can't buy one. Personally I think they might as well give the kids (One $100 per child) cash so they can buy food/clothing/books/pay for education.

[FastFokker]

Not ranting on you or anything, but wow...you seem very bitter and disappointed with the comments made by other members!!!!
Just saddened that people are so lazy that they won't even click a couple mouse buttons to find the information they wish to know.

Rather than just looking at the hardware, thinking of the dying big belly kid in Africa who's going to get one and then surmising that rather than this device, they infact NEED food is just ignorant.

I'm saddened as North Americans used to be at the top of the game, but we're slowly getting passed up and before long our kids will be the ones needing these $100 laptops.

[kingsley]

AFAIK, this is only for 3rd world country only so you can't buy one. Personally I think they might as well give the kids (One $100 per child) cash so they can buy food/clothing/books/pay for education.

Nooo...really?

Damn man...I would really get one. 100 bucks for a small portable linux box? That's money.

[Emancipated]

I would get one, then go to Starbucks and use their wifi. It would be a great display of irony. Here you are sitting there usin ga $100 laptop sipping a cup of coffee and eating some of the delicious desserts that cost more than the laptop itself.