OLPC unveils XO-2

[andiwm2003]

http://www.olpcnews.com/laptops/xo2/olpc_announces_xoxo.html

http://blog.laptopmag.com/first-look-olpc-xo-generation-20#more-1596

it seems they will have a touch screen based device for ~$75. if that is the future of what the industry is doing then i'm happy. if someone like asus makes a touchscreen device with windows or linux for under $200 (like they did with the EEE for $400) then i'm definately interested.

and apple will of course bring a $600 version with OS X

 

[Satori]

A very worthy project... I hope it succeeds but I can't help smelling vaporware here.

 

[andiwm2003]

A very worthy project... I hope it succeeds but I can't help smelling vaporware here.

well, i have the first XO version. the hardware is great, the software plain sucks. so my guess is they will succed in hardware again but maybe they go with steve jobs offer for a small version of OS X this time. they definately will go with a windows version.

anyway, my guess is that ASUS will release something similar for the first world consumer.

 

[11800506]

I don't see how a device like that could be possible in 2010 (when they supposedly plan on releasing it) for $75 without some major subsidizing. That technology seems years off, especially since they plan on reducing its power usage too. There is no way a device like that can come out in 2 years for $75. The technology just isn't there yet. I don't get how the article in the first link seems to think that 2010 is a realistic date for its release.

 

[Abstract]

For all the things he thought were possible, even John Lennon would have a hard time 'imagining' this.

 

[edesignuk]

Doesn't the first "$100 laptop" still cost more than $100 to produce? I think they're loosing their minds trying to take a laptop like this touch screen in such a tight time frame.

 

[andiwm2003]

well, they want to use standard portable DVD technology to make it cheap. the cpu will most likely be the same as in the first XO. the touchscreen is probably not too expensive. the save lot's of money by getting roalty free access to technology, use MIT money to pay developers, have no service or repair parts or sales infrastructure.

the old XO costs $175 instead of $100 right now. so the XO-2 will be then $75*1.75=~$131 Not too bad for a device like this. My guess is commercial companies will make similar computers for about twice as much.

 

[question fear]

well, they want to use standard portable DVD technology to make it cheap. the cpu will most likely be the same as in the first XO. the touchscreen is probably not too expensive. the save lot's of money by getting roalty free access to technology, use MIT money to pay developers, have no service or repair parts or sales infrastructure.

Is it cost-effective to turn the normal DVD screen into a touchscreen? That's my big question.

 

[gkarris]

Maybe they're copying Apple's new "device"?

Next version of the MacBook Air - now has a touchscreen keyboard?

 

[a456]

Doesn't the first "$100 laptop" still cost more than $100 to produce? I think they're loosing their minds trying to take a laptop like this touch screen in such a tight time frame.

Here lies the problem. If Apple release a device like this now with OS X for say $700-800 (I live in the UK) everyone will say but the XO2 only costs $75. The XO2 might be vapourware as another commentator pointed out, and it also won't be here for at least three years. We don't know the hard drive size, screen resolution, processor, whether or not it will be multi-touch, etc. It therefore has the potential to cause unfair damage to Apple (despite not being available to First World Countries). I'm sure if Apple were planning on such a device and have just seen the XO2 they are now thinking, oh bu**er our marketing guys are going to have to work hard on this one. (And oh look where have I seen that wallpaper before!) This is not to criticize OLPC for their ambition and good intentions - it's criticizing the dullards who see the news in the press and use it as ammo against Apple's prices.