Intel Laptop Competes With One Laptop Per Child

Tracy Reed writes "According to the BBC, Intel has designed and begun marketing it's own low-cost laptop targeted at education in developing countries. 'Professor Negroponte, who aims to distribute millions of laptops to kids in developing countries, said Intel had hurt his mission "enormously". Speaking to US broadcaster CBS, Intel's chairman denied the claims. "We're not trying to drive him out of business," said Craig Barrett. "We're trying to bring capability to young people." Mr Barrett has previously dismissed the $100 laptop as a "gadget".'"

Comments

Re:OLPC is starting to sound hollow

[elrous0]

Maybe if he would set his ego aside and work WITH Intel instead of taking his "My way or nothing" approach, they could come to an accommodation. Instead of viewing Intel as a potential ally, he views them as the enemy, edging in on *HIS* personal feel-good project. If he truly cared about the kids, he should be willing to work with Intel or anyone else.

Re:Isn't this a good thing?

[DerekLyons]

Negroponte came off a little paranoid in the 60 minutes interview, but I agree with him. They are scared.

Of course he's paranoid and scared. If Intel drives the OLPC project into bankruptcy, then his tidy little political agenda no longer has a platform.

Re:Isn't this a good thing?

[Supercooldude]

A computing model that teaches kids to create and modify software, rather than just consume it Is that a good thing for us programmers? If the entire third world start producing software, that will drive all of us American programmers out of business. Isn't that something we should be worried about? From my perspective as someone who develops software for a living, the less people who know how to program, the better.

Re:OLPC is starting to sound hollow

[evilviper]

Presumably, they tried intel, but intel wanted too much for the part, or was less than cooperative. We don't know what went on there.

Yes we do. Intel simply doesn't have anything on the low-end. They've axed their XScale product line, which wasn't x86 compatible to begin with. Their mobile/Core CPUs are fine in laptops and desktops, but nothing they make runs on 1 Watt like the AMD Geodes.

Re:Isn't this a good thing?

[elrous0]

Yes, because companies in other countries are purely made up of philanthropists who just want to help the world. Companies like DeBeers, British Petroleum, etc. would NEVER think of sniping at competitors, treating workers like slaves, etc.--only us slimy evil Americans do that.