The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has plans to release a laptop that will cost only $100. The idea is for governments to pay the cost and then distribute the laptops to students. Five companies are working with MIT to develop the initial 5 million to 15 million test units within the year: Google, Advanced Micro Devices, News Corp., Red Hat and BrightStar. Though this project is primarily designed to work with governments for educational purposes, a commercial version of the laptop is in the works.
The laptop will be loaded with features found in products usually costing ten times the price including the capability for wireless internet access. Also, the laptop will be designed with a hand crank to be used as an alternative form of power in case outlets or batteries are unavailable. Below are some pictures of the prototype.
Updated: The green laptop below is the latest version as of November 17, 2005. Please see this Computers.net article for the latest developments including responses from Microsoft and Dell about the project.
Monday, 3. October 2005
Looking forward to getting one of these $100 laptops, then I can sell my $2000 laptop!
Monday, 3. October 2005
Chelsea,
Here’s hoping that this will become a reality! I just found out that the version that will be made available to regular consumers might be closer to $200. But that’s still a tenth the price of our laptops!
Tuesday, 11. October 2005
Sounds like the PC-99 from the movie “The First 20 Million is the Hardest to Make.” Really interesting stuff.
Wednesday, 12. October 2005
Frank,
I’m not familiar with that movie, though now I’ll have to check it out!
Sunday, 23. October 2005
How can we access these units to make them available for the unemployed in South Africa? We have a business model which will enable unemployed to gain skills and work in areas of stock takes and assets management if we can access low cost and portable units.
Monday, 24. October 2005
Barry,
Great question. I wish I had an answer. It sounds like this type of computer could be a great help in more places than just education.
Monday, 2. October 2006
wow where can i buy such a laptop
its just great!!