One Laptop per Child Project - Reality in 2007 ?

(Also known as the "$100 laptop project", or the "XO Computer", this is an effort that started in the MIT Media Lab to design a low-cost and sturdy computer that could be given to students in developing countries.)

The project has finally settled on a 4-pound plastic model with a 7-inch liquid crystal display, running all Open Source software, and powered by an AC adapter, a battery, or a hand-crank. The best part of the design is that it has a completely new interface that does not rely on the Windows or MAC icons. The interface is intended to be intuitive to students, not a scaled down replica of a "business computer". Full details about the project and specs are on the OLpC organization web site: http://www.laptop.org/

This is a picture from the site, although it seems to be one of the prototypes, not the final version.

According to recent press releases, distribution could begin early in 2007.

According to the FAQ page ( http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Retail ), it looks like the organization is re-thinking the policy not to make the computers commercially available in developing countries. The current plan is for governments, the UN, and donors to finance the purchase and distribution of the computers to children. I've always thought that it would be a good idea to make them available at twice the production cost - the buyer gets one computer and also provides a computer for a student. Since the price is now closer to $150, I think it would be a quick and easy way to finance the project.