Comments on: Laptops for everyone: OLPC repeats ‘Give One, Get One’

By: Mindy McAdams

Mindy McAdams — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:59:23 +0000

@Pat – Admittedly I do not use it often, because I always have work to do, and that’s mostly bound to Windows or Mac apps.

@Megan – It’s Linux, and yes, it’s useful. Connects to free wi-fi like a champ and does all Web things well. But do you need it? Well, no. Some kid in Mongolia needs it more than you do!

@Michele – http://jumpstartcambodia.wordpress.com/ – Cambodia is a great place for these laptops. The schools have so little — and you’re right, most kids I met didn’t have any toys or books (or even pants!).

By: Michele McLellan

Michele McLellan — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:50:23 +0000

Hi Mindy: Agree that OLPC laptops fantastic. I’ve used them with kids (who they are really for) and great to see how quickly they discover and build mostly on their own. Am a little disappointed that OLPC put out word that it would be selling a new, improved model (more of an e-book) at a reduced price (about half) starting this week, then we see old model at old price.
Ouch for me as I have been raising money to take laptops to a village in Cambodia in December. Still, way best thing going for kids in places where they don’t have computer access. More at jumpstartcambodia.wordpress.com

By: Megan Taylor

Megan Taylor — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:47:07 +0000

Sappy charity crap aside, (and mind you, I think getting laptops to kids who might otherwise never see a computer is the coolest thing ever) is this a machine I want/need? Is it useful?

By: Pat Thornton

Pat Thornton — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:41:43 +0000

@Mindy,

Now that you’ve had the laptop for a year, what do you think about it? Do you think it’s a good learning tool? How often do you use your own OLPC?

I’m a little bit surprised the price hasn’t come down in the year since this has been out, especially since the original target was $100. It still looks like a great program, however.