$100 laptop - the intel version
2005.12.12
This is something that popped up in the LKLUG mailing list.
Intel’s Barrett says world’s poorest don’t want $100 laptops
“Mr. Negroponte has called it a $100 laptop — I think a more realistic title should be ‘the $100 gadget’,” Barrett, chairman of the world’s largest chipmaker, told a press conference in Sri Lanka. “The problem is that gadgets have not been successful.”
Well, it’s not surprising that Intel is not finding this particular gadget-making a profitable business venture. But sometimes the profits are not the real benefits - this goes far beyond a lousy P&L of a company.
“It turns out what people are looking for is something that has the full functionality of a PC,” he said. “Reprogrammable to run all the applications of a grown up PC… not dependent on servers in the sky to deliver content and capability to them, not dependent for hand cranks for power.”
Oh, ok. Let’s wait till these communities get electricity. Afterall, they’ve waited all this time, what difference would another 5 years of waiting make, no?
Excuse me Mr.Barrett, but exactly what, may I ask, do you know about the needs of the world’s poorest?
They do want the $100 laptops and simputers. Anyone who has the basic understanding of the level of IT penetration in developing nations and the reasons for those poor figures can give plenty of reasons for their introduction.
From the $ 100 laptop FAQ Page:
Why not a desktop computer, or—even better—a recycled desktop machine?
Desktops are cheaper, but mobility is important, especially with regard to taking the computer home at night. Kids in the developing world need the newest technology, especially really rugged hardware and innovative software. Recent work with schools in Maine has shown the huge value of using a laptop across all of one’s studies, as well as for play. Bringing the laptop home engages the family. In one Cambodian village where we have been working, there is no electricity, thus the laptop is, among other things, the brightest light source in the home.
The brightest light source. You heard that Mr.Barrett?
9 Comments
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Mat
December 13th, 2005 at 4:41 am
Wants and needs are very different things.
Although, Mr.Barrett probably has no idea what developing nations want, lets assume he does. With that in mind, we’ll then assume that they’re all hanging out for the latest Intel Macs with Bluetooth connectivity. Optimistically, this may be available to them in 5 years.
It would be ridiculous to argue that they should have to wait until then. Not only would it perpetuate the cycle of poorer nations remaining 5 steps behind, but, it would fail to address the issue at hand - they need to have access to this technology now.
Yes, computers were once a luxury that only the affluent could afford but they’re fast becoming a necessity as we grow into a global village.
sittingnut
December 13th, 2005 at 9:40 am
mr barrett may not know much about what poor ppl in developing countries need, but neither it seems do you. while he has a right to look after the interests of his company, what right do you think you have to speak for the poor here just bc you happen to live here?
anybody who has seen or worked with a $100 laptop know that it is a pipedream.
speaking for myself (and myself only), i believe we need the latest technology not dumbed down versions that keep us perpetually behind, and we need ppl who do not have chips on their shoulders.
Prabhath
December 13th, 2005 at 10:02 am
Hmm… good observation. Those who know me well will know that I have plenty of reasons, so let’s leave it at that.
However, there’s no reason to be scared by the “$100″ label - if you read more on the laptop and simputer, you’ll see that they are actually making a change for the better for the communities now. Especially the simputer, which is why even the Sahana project is working on a Simputer version of the disaster managemennt system.
sittingnut
December 13th, 2005 at 11:40 am
ok, now you are talking sense.
Dulan
December 15th, 2005 at 1:06 pm
That’s an interesting comment. Are these laptops even out yet?
Prabhath
December 15th, 2005 at 1:39 pm
Not yet.
The word cynicism comes to mind.
Jaap
December 17th, 2005 at 2:16 am
Wikipedia has good info. I agree that all the cynics need to put up themselves or shut up. MIT has some fantastic people working on this, and I’m sure Taiwanese manufacturer would not have agreed to be a part of this if it really was a pipedream. Nortel has also become a corporate associate.
Also, Ars Technica recently also published criticism of Barret’s comments.
Deva
January 4th, 2006 at 11:05 am
I think the $100 laptop is a great idea!
I remember back in the 1980 - 90s, having my first computer, an XT with 512K memory. Event back then this machine was not the most powerful.
However it brought me immense enjoyment and opened up a world of possibilities.
When you are poor, you don’t need the latest and the greatest. You need something that will kick start your imagination. Something that will help you do your studies. Help you enjoy some games. Help you learn the basics. Write a small program etc. Because at the moment, not many people learn even the basics.
That said, hopefully, the governments will also galvanize and provide more advanced labs for those students who want to pursue IT as a career. Because although $100 laptop will give a good base. The more advanced computers and software and the likes are also needed.
As for Mr. Intel, a businessman is just like a politician. So we shouldn’t take much notice of his cries. If he does do something for the common man, thats cool and most welcome. There is enough opportunities in this world for many more people to contribute to the development of the less fortunate.
Thanks.
phil
March 22nd, 2006 at 5:00 am
the likes of intel and microtoss have been running a quasi-monopoly for decades, cooperating openly, running up absurd profits for mediocre products. now we get choice, of course theyre going to be annoyed when a competitor (amd) brings out a cost-efficient solution- with free software!!