OLPC XO-1: the $200 laptop for the developing world
It has taken more than two years, but the One Laptop per Child
initiative has finally released its much-anticipated laptop: the OLPC
XO-1. The XO-1 costs $200 each to donate, but for a limited time—until
December 31, 2007—people can avail themselves of the "Give One, Get
One" promotion to give a $399 donation ($200 of which is
tax-deductible): One laptop goes to a disadvantaged child in a
developing nation, while OLPC gives you another one as a thank-you gift
of sorts. (Think: PBS pledge drive, where they offer a gift to you of a
DVD set for a $200 donation). This is certainly a different business
model in this "me, me, me" holiday season: Instead of buying something
for yourself, you buy technology for a child who needs it, with a
fringe benefit of a gift laptop for your household. Just be advised,
this limited-time offer is the only way you'll be able to get your
hands on the XO-1 for the foreseeable future. After the end of the
year, people can still donate the laptops, but they won't be getting
one as a gift.
