Like many of you, I've been following Nicholas Negroponte's One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) initiative. Build a low-cost, wireless, practically indestructible portable computer specifically for children in developing countries? You've got to love that.
Noble intentions aside, the XO laptop (as it's called) is shaping up to become the most desirable new tech product since the iPhone. In today's New York Times, David Pogue called the XO "absolutely amazing" and "a technological breakthrough."
Among the reasons why the XO is getting raves:
> With backlighting turned off, the 7.5 inch color screen is clear and easy to read in bright sunlight. Few other laptops can make that claim. You can also twist the screen around on its hinge, like a tablet PC.
> Along with built-in Wi-Fi, the XO provides mesh networking, so multiple XO users can collaborate on the same documents and see each other's work on their own laptop screens, no set-up required.
> The battery can be recharged by pulling a cord or with a solar panel.
> With its two green antenna, splash-proof keyboard, dirt- and dust-resistant design, the XO laptop screams 'cool.'
The good news? A few weeks ago, the OLPC organization announced it would sell XO laptops to consumers for $400. The price buys one laptop for you, one for a child in a developing country.
The bad news? The laptops will only be offered to consumers November 12-26. Worst of all, Pogue and other reviewers have pointed out that the keyboard's keys are too small for touch-typing by an adult.
And so, I have a suggestion for Mr. Negroponte. In addition to the XO, how about developing a similar laptop, with adult-sized keys, especially for the commercial market? Charge $600. We'll pay it. After all, look how crazy we went for the iPhone at that price.
You're sure to have a hit product that will help fund your initiative. You'll put more computers in kids' hands. Consumers will have a truly cool new laptop, one that breaks new ground. We'll feel good about our cool new laptops, too, knowing we're helping such an important cause.
And with that glare-free screen and dust-proof chassis, I'll finally have a laptop I can take to the beach on a sunny day.
I've seen many articles and news reports about Dr. Negroponte and his OLPC mission, and I heartily applaud his efforts. Most recently, he persuaded Intel to fold their rival Classmate portable computer project into the OLPC--no small accomplishment that! The only bad thing I could ever say about him is that he's clearly an engineer and an educator, not a marketing expert. (But come to think of it, that might not be such a bad thing to say after all!)
I've read that the biggest roadblock to the OLPC is the reluctance of many countries to adopt it for their educational systems. Their "wait-and-see" attitude is, as I understand it, hindering production of the XO laptops, which prevents economies of scale, which slows any price reductions of the laptops, which hinders more countries from adopting it, and so on and so on.
I completely agree with you that if the XO PC were properly equipped with an adult-sized keyboard, it would most certainly be a top seller for people who can't afford more expensive laptops or for anyone who simply wants a relatively inexpensive, durable, totable, easy-to-use laptop. More importantly, sales of the XO to adults could help underwrite the OLPC project, something which any marketing expert would recognize.
Posted by: chuck | October 16, 2007 at 11:10 AM
One laptop for adult as well as per child..I think laptop is not a game that every child wants to play with......
http://www.electrocomputerwarehouse.com
Posted by: Cheap Computers | June 23, 2009 at 02:22 AM