One Laptop Per Child's next move: the $100 tablet

[Sporkman]

One Laptop Per Child's next move: the $100 tablet

By JESSICA MINTZ, AP Technology Writer – Thu May 27, 9:16 am ET

SEATTLE – The nonprofit organization that has tried for years to produce a sub-$100 laptop for children in the world's poorest places is throwing in the towel on that idea — and jumping on the tablet bandwagon.

One Laptop Per Child's next computer will be based on chipmaker Marvell Technology Group Ltd.'s Moby tablet design. Marvell announced a prototype of the device earlier this year and said it costs about $99...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100527/ap_on_hi_te/us_tec_hundred_dollar_tablet_computer

[neoargon]

That's a good move

[pwnst*r]

Hm. Cool, but on the other hand, their not learning how to type on a tablet.

[Dragonbite]

Hm. Cool, but on the other hand, their not learning how to type on a tablet.

I still like the version that was demoed years ago, where it was a small notebook but both sides were a touch-screen so that in "laptop" mode then one side would be a touch-screen keyboard.

Open it up and it can be just like a tablet except for the hinge in the middle. This way you could even play games against the other person.

[pwnst*r]

Agreed - I was hoping that would be what came to fruition.

[chessnerd]

A fine idea, but it doesn't get them any closer to their goal.

The organization should keep its focus on improving the existing XO laptops (http://laptop.org/en/laptop/index.shtml), which already have table capabilities. If they can, they should even try to lower the current prices. It costs $199 USD to send one laptop to one child. If they can get that price down to $149 or $99 that will allow for massive increases in shipments.

[McRat]

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