$175 Laptop

The former $100 laptop is now expected to be closer to $175. The computer is being created for school children in developing countries. The small “XO” computer has the ability to run with extremely low electricity consumption, includes a pulley for hand-generated power, built-in wireless networking capabilities, and a screen with a feature for indoor and outdoor reading modes. The computer also features the ability to run a Microsoft Windows XP starter edition as well as its own operating system. It has been designed for those with no previous computer experience in mind. This highly original operating system has an interface heavily reliant on pictographic icons. Countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Pakistan, Thailand, Nigeria, Libya, and Uruguay have committed to being in the initial wave to buy the small computers, but it is unclear who will be the first to put the cash forth. The project must receive orders for 3 million machines before manufacturing and distribution. The machines will be made by Quanta Computer Inc., the world’s leader in portable computers. They have agreed to take a profit of only $3 per machine. Working together with the non-profit One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) project, they hope to achieve their goal of making this little computer available to many. The XO is currently focused on those in developing countries, but with inquiries made by 19 state governors could possibly be made available to U.S. schools. This can definitely be seen as one significant step to assist in the large digital divide.