What if you could buy a laptop that would do everything you needed it to, for only $100? Nicholas Negroponte started the organization one laptop per child (OLPC), a non-profit with the sole intention of getting a laptop given to every child in underdeveloped nations. With the help of some people at MIT they were able to come up with a laptop with a $100 price tag.
The laptop is simple in design, with its sole intention being to give children the ability to learn via the web in countries where the best schools and resources may not be available. Don’t be confused; this laptop isn’t your typical computer system. The computer is made without a hard drive and operates on Linux rather than a more popular operating system. The computer will include an Internet browser, email program, and a word processor as well as a wireless Internet card.
The wireless Internet card will be only strong enough to really link together all the other $100 laptops in the area allowing for networking. The computer is designed to last with no motor driven parts, just flash memory to save important documents etc.
The laptop is not expected to be available to American citizens, designed only to be sent to third world countries where the resources are not available for the laptops on their own.
While I think sending laptops to third world countries is a great idea, what about the kids right here in the US who’s parents can’t afford to buy a computer for home use. The internet is a very valuable teaching tool and it is unfortunate that the groups first priority is children in other countries rather than children right here.
What do you think?