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    News: MIT's $100 laptop for poor kids

    Discussion in 'Notebook News and Reviews' started by earthman22, Sep 28, 2005.

  1. earthman22

    earthman22 Newbie

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    MIT has revealed the design of its $100 laptop, which has yet to go into production. It is hoped that these will be distributed en masse to poor school children around the world. See this article:

    http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050928/ap_on_hi_te/hundred_dollar_laptop

    and this website: http://laptop.media.mit.edu

    features of this low-tech wonder include use of linux and a handcrank for when there's no electricity. they actually hope to lower the cost in the future! Here are two of the plans, from the MIT website:

    "...The first-generation machine may use a novel, dual-mode LCD display commonly found in inexpensive DVD players, but that can also be used in black and white, in bright sunlight, and at four times the normal resolution—all at a cost of approximately $35.

    "Second, we will get the fat out of the systems. Today's laptops have become obese. Two-thirds of their software is used to manage the other third, which mostly does the same functions nine different ways."

    Pretty cool, huh? now, can someone come up with a similar $200 laptop for adults who don't need all of the bells and whistles?
     
    earthman22, Sep 28, 2005
    #1