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Chipmaker Intel has agreed to join One Laptop Per Child project (OLPC) in collaborating technology for the ambitious $100 laptop (XO Laptop) which plans to hit full scale manufacturing in mid-2007.
Earlier this year, Nicholas Negroponte, the founder of OLPC criticized Intel for selling their low cost Classmate PC below the production cost to undermine the efforts put by OLPC project.
XO machines ($100 laptop) presently use rival AMD’s Geode CPU, but there are no immediate plans to replace the CPU with Intel’s technology. However, severs which will be used to deliver content and other purposes will have Intel technology in their core.
With this new agreement, Intel will be joining 11 other companies which include some big names like Google and Red Hat who have joined hands in helping the non-profit OLPC project.
Rival chipmaker, AMD’s response: “Intel’s apparent change of heart is welcome, and we’re sure they can make a positive contribution to this very worthy project for the benefit of children all over the world”
According to Intel, its upto OLPC to choose which product to offer or not offer, so it’s unclear if OLPC is willing to replace currently used AMD CPU in the long run. Any software developed for Classmate PC should work on XO Laptops and vice-versa.
I’m quite happy to see Intel join forces with OLPC for the benefit of the under-privileged children.
[Source: BBC News]
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wrote, on July 15th, 2007
OLPC is just a big fad. I mean, think about it - would any underprevilaged kid want a pc with 1gig flash memory and no extra apps? it would be better for them to have cellphone, which is much more functional. GPRS could be used to deliver content. also, how many underprevilaged will really get this? going by the rate of corruption in india, i wouldnt be surprised if olpc ends up in schools…..
but yes, in other countries, it is good.
wrote, on July 15th, 2007
TechZilo: India already rejected OLPC project saying that “the project is too unrealistic” (for corrupt india). Words used in bracket must in included as a post-fix
wrote, on July 16th, 2007
It would be great to have a $100 for benefit of children
wrote, on July 16th, 2007
sorry, i was in a hurry and couldnt read the whole thing carefully.
btw, how do you add rounded corners to your comments? looks slick
i saw something similar in chris pearson’s copyblogger theme
wrote, on July 16th, 2007
Interested in checking out the preview of our new theme?
wrote, on July 17th, 2007
Intel has no choice ..Intel might be facing huge losses in selling the PC’s below production cost so it joins the safe side..
wrote, on July 17th, 2007
It is really nice to see MNC’s coming together for a noble cause .
wrote, on February 20th, 2008
Well, as far as I am concerned, Mr Negroponte had a vision, but even he did not reckon with the falling dollar! Shame though, $100 to equip kids with a laptop was worth dreaming about.