They say it doesn't take electricity. What they mean is you don't need to plug it in because you can literally "wind it up." This is a very cool concept.

I can find on the web that it runs Linux. I can't seem to find out anything else about it, though. I have to wonder if it isn't more of a large PDA. Think of something like the latest Zaurus with it's 4GB hard disk. It doesn't use much electricity at all because it's an all-mobile device. If this was basically that, but with a much larger crank-able power supply, it could be very viable.

The $100 price point, on the other hand, will be the big challenge, IMO. Hopefully this will happen. It's actually too bad it seems to be only targetted at poorer countries and kids and such. Something like this, for $99 bucks in a Toys'R'Us would really give the VTech kids "laptops" a run for their money.

Computer expert Professor Negroponte came up with the idea after visiting a Cambodian village where school children used donated notebook PCs.

It's hoped poor countries will be able to afford to buy lots of the computers.

Well, since the poor countries get a lot of money and other stuff from the US and Europe, why not just get those countries together and give them out with some food?

"Would you like a laptop with that?"

CBBC Newsround | Sci/Tech | Cheap laptop is created for kids

Posted by Shane on October 1, 2005 3:17 PM | Permalink