OLPC to be sold to the public?

by Ryan Carter Jan 13th 2007

The One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) initiative is planning to ship nearly 5 million XO model PCs this summer to mostly third world countries. There are rumors floating about that the OLPC folks may offer the laptops for sale to the public as well. Consumers would be able to buy the laptops in pairs, and only receive one of them, with the other one going to a child in a third world country. Sure it is a bit unorthodox, but forcing philanthropy on the public when they purchase is simply brilliant. I don't think many people will have a problem with this method of helping others. You would even get to keep in touch with the child your laptop went to, to see how they are, and what they are up to, sponsoring them, in effect. eBay is also rumored as a seller to help the sale of laptops, since supply chain costs are high and the foundation need to keep costs down to continue producing low-price PCs. Seriously, what is $100 in the grand scheme of things? Would you 'buy 2 get 1' to help out your own kid and the kids that need a PC in third-world countries? I would.

Tags: child, computer, countries, developing, laptop, NIcholas Negroponte, NicholasNegroponte, olpc, philanthropy, third-world

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Isaac said 12:30PM on 1-13-2007

Awesome idea. Not least because I want a laptop but am not willing to pay the extortionate prices of todays market.

It's also an excellent way to force people who wouldn't normally go to the effort of giving to charity to become willing philanthropists.

lilpunk1302 said 5:45PM on 1-13-2007

I still have a question about these things, can you charge them from awall plug? People keep on talking about the pull-string and the like,but nothing about a wall plug???Anyways, I think it's an ok idea, Imean it'd be nice if they charged consumers $150 instead of 200 Ithink that way they'd get more sales, but thats just me. Also, Ithink the whole $100 laptop idea has already somewhat failed becausethey already sell full blown $100 laptop's(kinda) you pay $600upfront, then you get $500 in rebates and free stuff, adding up to a$100 laptop.http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/17/circuit-city-to-sell-100-compaq-laptop-on-black-friday/
right there.

lilpunk1302 said 5:46PM on 1-13-2007

I still have a question about these things, can you charge them from a wall plug? People keep on talking about the pull-string and the like, but nothing about a wall plug???

Anyways, I think it's an ok idea, I mean it'd be nice if they charged consumers $150 instead of 200 I think that way they'd get more sales, but thats just me. Also, I think the whole $100 laptop idea has already somewhat failed because they already sell full blown $100 laptop's(kinda) you pay $600 upfront, then you get $500 in rebates and free stuff, adding up to a $100 laptop. http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/17/circuit-city-to-sell-100-compaq-laptop-on-black-friday/
Right there.

William C Bonner said 2:05AM on 1-14-2007

So, I spend $200 and I get a laptop and a reciept showing that I spent $100 on a charity donation? Does that work for taxation status?

Jason said 11:22AM on 1-15-2007

I would definitely buy one, once the are available at olpc.com

Regards, Jason

yeye said 8:00PM on 1-16-2007

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/01/14/olpc_no_consumer_version/

way to do research. linked from the olpc site.

Featured Time Waster

Civiballs is a beautiful, soothing physics puzzle Time Waster

I have an absolute weakness for physics games, and while Civiballs isn't the strongest physics-based game, what it lacks in the physics department it makes up for a few times over in style and fun.

In Civiballs, you are presented with a few colored balls, and your goal is to get those balls into the same-colored urn on the level. The "civi" part of Civiballs is that there are 3 sets of levels to play, each representing a different civilization. While the civilization doesn't affect gameplay, the artwork for each level is beautifully themed to it's appropriate era.

To play the game, you are given only one tool - a sword with which to cut the chains that are holding the balls. The puzzle part of the game is in figuring out what order, and with what timing to cut each chain. Do it right, and all the right balls end up in the right urns, with no stray balls entering an urn (a no-no). Do it wrong, and you get to start over again.

Civiballs is not terribly deep on gameplay; the entire game can be completed in about 15 minutes. But if you enjoy this type of game, it will be a very enjoyable 15 minutes.

View more Time Wasters