Sub-$100 laptop design unveiled

[Guest]

Sub-$100 laptop design unveiled

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4292854.stm

Virtually indestructible

The laptops will be encased in rubber to make them more durable, and their AC adaptors will also act as carrying straps.

The Linux-based machines are expected to have a 500MHz processor, with flash memory instead of a hard drive which has more delicate moving parts.

They will have four USB ports, and will be able to connect to the net through wi-fi - wireless net technology - and will be able to share data easily.

Power is a big issue for developing nations in particular when it comes to technology, which is why the hand crank will be fitted to supply extra juice when it is needed.

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I recall reading about The Simputer, very simple  Linux based system.
IIRC Apple had something along these once upon a time as well.

I have Doctor Friend, actually a classmate lat semester -  that uses a ugly , old, indestructible rubber cased Win 98 for all her Doctoring ...files and such for the various patients, and work b/t two hosptials.

I am hoping the idea is a good one and actually does well. I would be interested in seeing and having one of these.  I could toss it in my backpack and not be as concerned as I am now with my ThinkPad.

I like the price point too!!

[Justin]

I'm really jazzed by the idea of a computer that can run off of a hand crank.  My notebook has a battery, but I'm lucky if it lasts two hours.  

[Guest]

My Thinkpad [R31] is pretty good...I consider right near 3 hrs pretty good and depends on settings of course.

Yeah the hand cranked is interesting. I have been toying with LLBeans hand crank Radio in the event of emergencies. Word is - it works. One can save the batteries, or if in the event the batteries play out, still one has the radio.

I can see having a hand cranked power source being real useful, in just being able to shut down properly when DC is going down.

Have a back-up plan, another back- up plan....

I have some folks into Ham Radio, they carry these portable solar panel rechargers. These work well.

Still the idea of a simple, rugged, affordable laptop makes a lot of sense. I know these are for underdeveloped places and people.  I want one. And if It does break...just get another one.

The security of WiFi is my only concern.

[...has left the building.]

I would buy one to use as my fourth computer. A $100 notebook that I could beat on with WiFi capability would rock.

[Guest]

This is just the thing for the starving student. 500MHZ is ample power to run a word processor and browser and any other necessary utilities. One may have to run older versions though (which fits in nicely with the cheap aspect).

[SpookyPistolero]

I'd be in love if it does all that at that price. Fits right into the Ramen budget.

[lee n. field]

Apple had something like this, about 10 years ago.  The Apple eMate was a Newton PDA in a clamshell laptop case, with a keyboard.  It cost ~$800 in 1997, and came and went pretty quickly.  They're on ebay all the time.  I just got hold of a couple myself, discarded by a school I do support for.  At this time, they're interesting, but of limited utility.

One big plus for this unit (assuming it's ever made) would be locking it down easily, so Johnny won't be installing Limewire and downloading porn, or chitchatting with his little buddies with AIM.  Nose to the grindstone, boy!

I would buy one to use as my fourth computer.

Depending on exactly what you can do with this, this might make a good second unit for me.  Don't forget, with USB you can hang an external hard disk on it.

[Guest]

I'd be in love if it does all that at that price. Fits right into the Ramen budget.

Yeah - would allow one some fine cusine once in a while...Burger King, Wendy's, maybe even a high dollar meal Like Pop-Eyes.

If the folks in brown truck drop kicks it to your door...so what?  

The USB does  allow for a LOT of options!

[Silver Bullet]

Popeyes might not really be high dollar, but it's still the best fried chicken I've found anywhere.

Back on topic:  I hope those USB ports are version 2.0.

[jefnvk]

Apple had something like this, about 10 years ago.  The Apple eMate was a Newton PDA in a clamshell laptop case, with a keyboard.  It cost ~$800 in 1997

Anything that caosts $800 is not like something that costs $100.

Unfortunately, it looks like that is the bulk price.  Doubt I'll be able to go buy one for that. Once you start talking much more than that, I can get a used one that does much more.

[K Frame]

$100 laptop?

It's called an Etch-A-Sketch...

[Sindawe]

Professor Negroponte came up with the idea for a cheap computer for all after visiting a Cambodian village.

His non-profit One Laptop Per Child group plans to have up to 15 million machines in production within a year.

A note to all the developing nations.  Resistance is futile, you will be assimilated.  

Now if we in the west can really mass produce these things and drop them in "enemy nations" like we did with the Liberator Pistols in WWII, we may be on to something.

[Perd Hapley]

You're right, Sindawe, Bill Gates is trying to take over the world!  Oh, wait, it's Linux.

[Sindawe]

I ment Western Culture, not Microsoft when I was referring to assimilation. My bad for not being clear.

[Perd Hapley]

You were clear, you tight-pants, I was just kiddin' around.

Why is everybody so serious today?

[Sindawe]

Why is everybody so serious today?

New jeans that are not broke in yet?  Being called an "Old Man" for the first time in my life by a snot nosed kid on a skateboard playing loud, annoying music. (OK, so it was "Blizzard of Oz" by Ozzy Osborne, but if its outside in a parked car, and I can hear it inside, with the windows closed AND the AC running, its too loud).  Finding out that one's trusty stead of 15 years has a burned valve and 0 compression on cylinder #2 of 4?  Phase of the moon?