OSNews

Maybe it is the cynic in me, but I feel that Intel is out to make money rather than help developing countries. I met some of the OLPC people at this year's FUDCon Boston, and they seem to be generally concerned with helping others than helping their shareholders.

I'm sure Intel is after the money,but in the end what matters is the fact that they are selling a cheap laptop.Which,mind you,runs Windows and Linux. I don't know which is better (never touched one of these) but I suspect they are pretty much the same. morally, Negroponte & Co should have first option. Unfortunately , money is always made in these companies. And people look first at this : money.

If it helps and they make money, there's a clear market for the technology: that means that there is incentive to supply for the market. That would be a shame, I guess, for Mr. Ego-ponte.

Perhaps the ends justify the means? What if Intel just wants to make money? What if the OLPC can't compete? What if kids in developing countries get tools that could help them learn? What if Nicholas Negroponte is jumping at shadows?

I don't think you're being cynical at all. You are absolutely correct. It's Intel's job to make money/profit, not run charities. Anyone who thinks otherwise is mistaken.

Intel has no incentive to be charitable unless governments develop an incentive for them, such as tax breaks for donating equipment, etc....

Intel could simply have chosen to ignore the $100 USD Laptop, but instead they have chosen to take the low-road and work against it. Just one more reason for me to buy AMD products......

I think the complain is that if it's sold below cost, then it won't last forever -- just until the OLPC is dead "because it's more expensive than the alternative". Once that happens the prices go up and there's no competition. Don't know if this is true or not.

Indeed, look at the XBox1, sold below cost in order for Microsoft to get into the market, only now after the 360 has been out for ages are Microsoft just about to start turning profit.

Then compare that to every Nintendo console which has been profitable right off the bat.

Intel want in on the market. They can easily cut a loss if it guarantees them 25+ years of vendor lock in later on.

Intel is looking to keep market share cause the OLPC uses AMD.

The Intel machine costs twice as much as the inflated price of the OLPC.

And with Windows it costs more.

I started my non profit to give away Linux machines and have already run up against people that now want to do the same thing but give Windows machines.

Well my Linux is 100% free for life with upgrades and low cost support. The Windows guys can't say that. But yet I get shot down on a regular because of slick marketing.

Intel SUCKS!

If everything is for a good cause, why scream? "

Price dumping is a crime in most countries and for good reasons.