By now , you ’ve probably discover of the " $ 100 laptop , " a product five year in the making . TheXO laptop computer , as it ’s officially call , is produced by theOne Laptop Per Child ( OLPC ) Foundation , a nonprofit formation founded by Nicholas Negroponte , who also ground the MIT Media Lab . The OLPC Foundation aims to provide these laptop to gazillion of children throughout the developing world for better their Education Department and their caliber of life . Let ’s take a look at the XOlaptopto chance why it ’s generating so much bombination .

The XO laptop was designed to be lightweight , crummy and adaptable to the conditions of the develop humankind . While a $ 100 laptop is the goal , as of September 2007 , the laptop costs about $ 188 . Originally the OLPC Foundation said that governments must corrupt the laptop computer in batches of 25,000 to distribute to their citizens , but a novel programme will shortly allow secret citizens to purchase an XO .

As of Nov. 12 , 2007 , theGive 1 Get 1 ( G1G1 ) programallowed U.S. house physician to bear $ 399 to buy two XO laptop computer – one for the purchaser and one for a child in demand in a strange land . The program ’s initial foot race last two weeks . To start , laptops purchased through this program were given to children inAfghanistan , Haiti , RwandaandCambodia . More laptop should be available for sale in the future tense , and more developing nations will be able to employ to join the G1G1 architectural plan .

As of September 2007 , about 7,000 laptops were being tested by children around the world . Many governing have verbalize interest in the laptop or verbally committed to buy it , but Negroponte order that some have n’t followed through on their promises . Still , enough computers were govern – observers guess more than three million – that full - plate production begin in July 2007 .

The OLPC Foundation faces some challenges and criticism besides getting politics to put to buying the XO . A common question is : Why give a child a laptop when he might needfood , water supply , electrical energy or other basic amenities ? To that , the OLPC says that the XO laptop offer children a sense of ownership and ensures that they ’re no longer dependent on a crooked or inept authorities to provide educational opportunities . The computing machine is a powerful tool for learning and collaborationism , expose children to a wealth of knowledge and providing opportunities that they would not normally have . It also supercede the need for textbooks , which are expensive , easily damaged and less interactive .

In many parts of the developing worldly concern , the great unwashed live in large family grouping . The XO laptop allows children , parents , grandparents and cousin to learn each other . In some communities with limited electrical energy , child have used the laptop computer ’s brilliant screen as a light .

The OLPC Foundation faces some rival , even among nonprofit organizations . Also , Michael Dell and Bill Gates have questioned aspects of the data processor ’s design . Other companies have launched compete low - price laptops , though none with the scale or publicity of the OLPC Foundation projection . Intel ab initio criticize the gimmick , then started sell its own low - monetary value laptop computer , and at long last decided to join the OLPC project .

Next , we ’ll take a look at the remarkable technology behind the XO.­

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XO Laptop Technology and Cost

The XO laptop ’s figure underscore cheap , durable construction that can exist a variety of mood and the rigourousness of the developing world . The machine can withstand dirt , cabbage , shock and water while also providing longbatterylife . Every feature is carefully mastermind to conform to these standards and to minimize the need for care . To that end , the XOlaptophas no move parts – no hard drive with spinning platter , no cooling fans , no optical drive .

Unlike most commercially available laptops , the XO ’s video display is readable in full sunlight . Users can tack between color and black - and - white viewing modes to keep vigor . The screen " swivel " around , making the computer into a pad or e - script .

The 433 Mhz AMD processor and 256 megabytes of SDRAM are unimpressive by today ’s banner , but the XO has plenteous upper to black market its whippersnapper , no - frills software . The XO ’s processor is designed to be energy effective , and several gimmick are useable to reload the battery , include an electric adapter , hand crank , foundation - pedal and solar - power charger .

Rather than a traditional hard drive , the XO has a 1 gigabyteflashdrive , alike to what ’s used inUSBthumb crusade , theiPodnano anddigital cameramemory . Google will allow for on-line computer memory service , and some community of interests or schools will have servers with heavy amounts of hard drive blank . The data processor also has an Mount Rushmore State memory expansion slot to add more storehouse .

Like most new computers , the XO has an integratedWiFicard . But it does have something most computers do n’t have . The XO ’s green " rabbit ear " antennae boost the wireless carte ’s range up to 1.2 miles [ origin : BBC News ] . The computer is n’t dependent on arouterbeing nearby either . Instead , XO laptop can form amesh internet ; any computing machine within WiFi range can connect to one another and share Internet access through a computing machine that ’s within range of mountains of a wireless connection . Think of it like a line of mass , with each person rival the shoulder in front of him . The person in front may be the only one tight enough to a router to get at the Internet , but that cyberspace access can filter throughout the mesh mesh .

The XO ’s durable , waterproof plastic shell has an integrated video recording camera , mike , three USB ports andspeakers . Itskeyboardcan be adapt for different countries and alphabet .

The Red Hat software party supplies a version of the pop open - beginning Linux operating organisation . Other software includes a Web web browser ( Mozilla Firefox ) , a Christian Bible central processor compatible with Microsoft Word , a PDF lector , a music computer programme , games and a lottery program .

Whether the XO laptop computer change education and community life in developing countries continue to be seen . World leader such as Kofi Annan have praised the gadget . The XO has the potential to be an incredibly useful and authorise educational puppet , changing how children and communities learn , interact and relate to one another . But it will take years to estimate the project ’s achiever . If nothing else , elements of the XO ’s award - make headway purpose will for certain find their direction into commercial laptops . And since the OLPC project ’s origination , the love and ingeniousness of Negroponte and his team have invigorate the discussion about how to best suffice the develop world and to bridge the digital divide .

To check more about the XO laptop and other related to topics , or to donate to the OLPC Foundation , please mark off out the link on the next page .

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