“Nicholas Negroponte, chairman and founder of MIT’s Media Labs, says he is developing a laptop PC that will go on sale for less than $100 (£53).” (via BBC)
To get the hardware into this low price-range, obviously major modifications and/or deletions must be made. The laptop would be stripped-down to a bare minimum, feature Linux as the operating system (no Windows licensing fees) and feature a yet-to-be-developed rear-projection technology for the screen.
The laptop is targetted at developing countries, but of course, has tremendous implications for schools, even considering this is meant to be more of a ‘electronic notebook’ than say a multimedia powerhouse.
I also do remember a while back hearing about the Simputer … similar concept, but more of a handheld it seems. I think this sounds even more ambitious.
Anne Galloway (http://www.purselipsquarejaw.org/2005_02_01_blogger_archives.php#110805028897656873) has some interesting comments on this as well — you both seem (to me)to be speaking of the exponential potential (sorry for the literary faiblesse) of open source. Thanks for the optimism. L:)