Here is an 8 minute documentary about the recently unveiled 100$ laptop. It shows the laptop in action, and also discusses its aspects with one of the team members, such as the screen, the cheap keyboard, and much more. The video is in Quicktime, and this mirror gives better performance. My take: I am very, very, very impressed. The thought put into the details is just stunning. Every aspect of this machine has a function. Just astonishing.
To view parent comment, click here.
To read all comments associated with this story, please click here.
Member since:2005-07-10
I want one. I would pay more than 100 usd for it. It makes me sad that "The laptops will only be distributed to schools directly through large government initiatives."
I think at 100 USD they are making a small loss on it. Their first priority is to get them out and in the hands of kids. It would be good though, once production is up to scratch, if the could have them for sale at say around the 300 USD or more mark to subsidize the operation.
$100 is the goal price. I saw the video of Nicholas Negroponte's presentation and Q & A in Tunisia. He stated that they were currently talking with firms to build the thing and that the initial cost might be greater than $100, say, $115, or even $130. Economies of scale would be expected to bring the incremental costs down eventually so that $100 or less could still be attained later on.
Negroponte also mentioned the figure $300 for a commercial version.
They would have to be a different colour to differentiate them from the ones for school distribution in developing countries, so the original aim of using bright green to deter theft by adults would still be valid.
He also mentioned these points. The bright green cabinet and screaming yellow crank would perhaps allow there to develop a social stigma for using an obviously gray market machine. He also mentioned making it in various bright colors for the educational version, still leaving open the possibility of a more sedate color scheme for commercial versions.
Member since:
2005-11-02
I want one. I would pay more than 100 usd for it. It makes me sad that "The laptops will only be distributed to schools directly through large government initiatives."
I think at 100 USD they are making a small loss on it. Their first priority is to get them out and in the hands of kids. It would be good though, once production is up to scratch, if they could have them for sale at say around the 300 USD or more mark to subsidize the operation.
They would have to be a different colour to differentiate them from the ones for school distribution in developing countries, so the original aim of using bright green to deter theft by adults would still be valid.
Edited 2005-11-22 19:13