The Inexpensive-Laptop Industrial Complex

The theory is simple: If every child has access to knowledge and modern forms of education, even if the child lives in the most rural and primitive environment, world poverty will be drastically reduced. The more tech-savvy students are, the more likely they will be tech-savvy adults, perhaps attracting high-paying technical jobs to areas that need them.

The non-profit organization One Laptop Per Child (OLPC), founded by Nicholas Negroponte and backed by organizations like Google, eBay, and Intel, is putting its supply chain into gear and begins manufacturing the XO B4 laptop computer. The computer will initially be sold for $176 each (in packages of 250,000) to participating countries, with the goal of eventually reducing the price to $100.

Dozens of suppliers were launched into production this week, creating the 800 parts that are being assembled in Taiwan by Quanta, the world's largest laptop manufacturer. Intel has recently joined AMD as one of the chip suppliers, after developing its own Classmate PC to compete with OLPC's AMD-powered laptop. (Negroponte had actually accused Intel of using dirty tactics to undercut sales).

The laptop is called one of the most durable and innovative computers ever: designed to withstand dusk, heat, and rain; operate in places without electricity; and features a sunlight-readable screen. Participating countries include Argentina, Cambodia, the Dominican Republic, Nigeria, and Tunisia.


Sources: BBC, One Laptop Per Child, Quanta, PC Authority, EFlux Media,