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OLPC To Be Distributed To US Students
eldavojohn writes "The One Laptop Per Child Project plans to launch OLPC America in 2008 , to distribute the low-cost laptop computers originally intended for developing nations to needy students here in the United States. Nicholas Negroponte is quoted as saying, 'We are doing something patriotic, if you will, after all we are and there are poor children in America. The second thing we're doing is building a critical mass. The numbers are going to go up, people will make more software, it will steer a larger development community.'"
That review mainly gave the XO the edge because it was based on the idea that you are living in third world conditions (no power outlet) and the XO wins on being able to recharge in different ways. This is not an issue that anyone living in the US is going to face.
That video has an adult in the background clearly giving them advice. A random 8 year old with parents who dont know anything about computers will be very unlikely to be able to replicate that.
Furthermore, why assume that an American kid should get the cheapest laptop available. (ie not consider anything over $250) When I said the best cost to value ratio that meant getting the most you can for the money you have not necessarily buying the cheapest thing you can find. There are laptops out there that are only slightly more expensive than the XO and superior in prettymuch every way.
If you really believe that the XO is the best thing since sliced bread then why is it that companies arent lining up to buy them for their employees? If it really was the best deal wouldnt everyone want them?