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HP Markets Cheap 4-User PCs To African Schools

Posted by timothy on from the imagine-that dept.

Kracs writes "HP are supplying their low-cost multi-user 441 desktops to African schools. Running Mandrake Linux, and sporting four screens (1xTNT2 AGP, 3xTNT2 PCI), keyboards and mice (1 PS2 set, 3 USB sets) they provide relatively cheap computer access for up to four users (of particular interest to schools in low economic zones). However, according to this article on New Zealand's Xtra news page they've only manufactured enough to outfit schools in South Africa. HP has commented that they're talking to several organisations and are hoping to bring the PC to market in other regions but have stated they will only be marketed to developing countries." (Remember, there are also home-grown methods to achieve similar results.)

4 of 293 comments (clear)

  1. hate to sound so corny but by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    this is the sort of thing that "restores your faith in the world" so to speak.

    if hp are genuine in their efforts in helping developing/poor nations by providing them with low cost computers then this is great news.

    and in answer to the question on everyone here's lips, yes, it runs linux!

  2. Economic Aid by femto · · Score: 5, Interesting
    I've had discussions with various friends as to whether donating time to writing Free Software is of equal merit to donating money to 'save the children' funds and similar.

    At the time my opinion was that Free Software was better than donating money, as it can help third world economies become sustainable, in line with teaching someone to fish rather than just giving them a fish. I couldn't back up my opinion with hard examples though. I think I will be using this story as one of my examples in the future. Does anyone else have similar examples?

  3. Re:finally.... by cleverhandle · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Wouldn't be much of a problem with a halfway decent amount of RAM. A lot of perceived slowness is in load time, which is helped out by more file cache space. And shared libraries contribute some efficiency as well. Projects like Linux Terminal Server handle scores of simultaneous users with ~2GB of RAM. I'd think that, even in a low-cost market, this kind of machine would have enough RAM to handle 4 users.

  4. It only takes a few by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I had a computer lab in my classroom when home computers were rare. Some of the students spent many hours in that lab after school. They all ended up in different places after they graduated but some have really prospered. It is a small number but I am certain that some of my students are where they are because they had access to a computer that they could use any way they wanted.

    Never mind that there are few web pages in Bantu or Swahili, Get the kids going and soon you will have many.

    Never mind that only a few students' lives will really be changed by having a computer. Those few students will have a big effect on society.

    The important thing is that the computers should be available outside of school hours and not just to the students. Check out the 'computer in a wall' project in India. Check out how the students in Iceland are using computers to preserve their language and culture. As long as the teachers don't get in the way, good things will happen.