The $100 Laptop

Thursday, September 29, 2005 by Island Dog | Discussion: Laptops

Interesting idea.

"The Massachusetts Institute of Technology says it is close to making available a laptop for developing markets that would cost around $100 USD. At a minimum the computer would feature a color screen, Wi-Fi, a 500MHz processor, and 1GB of flash memory.

The unit would even be able to generate power on it own through the use of a hand crank, making it useful even in areas where electricity is not readily available. Developing countries would be able to buy a laptop for every child, allowing new educational opportunities previously thought impossible."

11 Reply 10 Referrals
iTZKooPA
Reply #1 Thursday, September 29, 2005 8:35 AM
That pretty nuts, cheers to them for at least trying. It will probably still be higher quality than the big guys...

XX
Reply #2 Thursday, September 29, 2005 12:51 PM
Ya know, it looks thin and small. I wouldn't mind getting one myself for browsing for college study.

Gideon MacLeish
Reply #3 Thursday, September 29, 2005 1:03 PM
I just read this on another site awhile ago. I'd love to have one, especially since it wouldn't need standard electrical current to operate.

gfcentral002
Reply #4 Thursday, September 29, 2005 1:40 PM
mine would die - i'd be too lazy to use the hand crank lol but that's way cheap!!

Texas Wahine
Reply #5 Thursday, September 29, 2005 3:36 PM
Heh, I'd buy one of those for BOTH my kids. Very cool idea.

Corky_O
Reply #6 Thursday, September 29, 2005 5:54 PM

Much better than the plastic piece together card reader that I had when I was a kid!

Nice find, Island Dog.


XX
Reply #7 Thursday, September 29, 2005 10:38 PM
Too bad...

http://laptop.media.mit.edu/

Please note: these laptops are not in production. They are not—and will not—be available for purchase by individuals.

number 2 mouse
Reply #8 Thursday, September 29, 2005 10:54 PM
That's cool as hell. Give em about a year after they go into production, I bet they'll be avaliable to the general public. If not, I guess I'll have to steal one!

aimzzz
Reply #9 Friday, September 30, 2005 10:46 PM
I hope it works out-- great idea

bakerstreet
Reply #10 Friday, September 30, 2005 11:05 PM
I have a feeling that the reason they can make them so cheap is by "cooperation" from the industry, i.e. selling parts at a loss for charitable reasons and then writing said loss off. Otherwise, why NOT sell $100 laptops? I'd buy at least two the day they went on sale.

With that kind of demand, I'd say there are real reasons why they won't sell them.

cactoblasta
Reply #11 Saturday, October 1, 2005 4:51 AM
I agree Baker - my guess is they do it by ignoring any unfortunate royalty payments, so that's a real cost-cutter. Otherwise there's no good reason to not have a 100 dollar computer. Very few of the old-school components cost anywhere near as much to produce as the selling price.

I'd still be keen to get a crank-powered computer, even if it's just for the novelty. Oh, and being able to use a comp for more than six hours when i'm in the sticks.

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