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Mass Production begins on XO $100 Laptop

Mass production on the XO $100 laptop has now begun in Changshu, China. Production of the laptop signals a major milestone for the One Laptop per Child project, a campaign to provide laptops for children in the developing world.

Professor Nicholas Negroponte established the One Laptop per Child (OLPC) campaign in 2002. His intention was to give laptops to children in the developing world for educational purposes. However, his idea to do this has faced criticism from those who feel developing countries would benefit more from new healthcare facilities and better sanitation.

Criticism for the OLPC also extends to technical aspects of the laptop itself. Microsoft’s Bill Gates attacked the computer’s “tiny screen” and lack of hard drive, whereas Craig Barret of Intel dismissed the XO as a “$100 gadget.” However, Professor Negroponte isn’t fazed by these remarks and is keen to emphasise that the laptops are intended to be educational, not technological.

Despite its lack of technical prowess, the XO boasts a number of innovative features that make it ideal for use in remote and environmentally volatile areas. The laptop is a durable machine, encased in plastic and with no moving parts. It is suitable for use in areas that have limited access to electricity, as it uses little power and can be recharged via a variety of devices, including solar panels. Most excitingly, it is also suitable for use in outdoor classrooms due to its sunlight-readable display.

The government of Uruguay has recently placed an order for 100,000 of these computers with an option to purchase 300,000 more at a later date. Other countries are also thought to be interested in the laptops and Americans are able to purchase them via One Laptop per Child’s Give 1 Get 1 campaign. This campaign allows people to buy a laptop for themselves, while also donating one to a child in a developing country. Participants in this scheme have been told to expect their computers in December.

Source:

BBC

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