Comments on: $100 laptop - the intel version

By: Mat

Mat — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 22:41:57 +0000

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.

By: sittingnut

sittingnut — Tue, 13 Dec 2005 03:40:28 +0000

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.

By: Prabhath

Prabhath — Tue, 13 Dec 2005 04:02:25 +0000

what right do you think you have to speak for the poor here just bc you happen to live here?

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.

By: sittingnut

sittingnut — Tue, 13 Dec 2005 05:40:43 +0000

ok, now you are talking sense.

By: Dulan

Dulan — Thu, 15 Dec 2005 07:06:49 +0000

anybody who has seen or worked with a $100 laptop know that it is a pipedream.

That’s an interesting comment. Are these laptops even out yet?

By: Prabhath

Prabhath — Thu, 15 Dec 2005 07:39:24 +0000

Not yet.

The word cynicism comes to mind.

By: Jaap

Jaap — Fri, 16 Dec 2005 20:16:45 +0000

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.

By: Deva

Deva — Wed, 04 Jan 2006 05:05:48 +0000

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.

By: phil

phil — Tue, 21 Mar 2006 23:00:15 +0000

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!!