'$100 laptop' to sell in developed world

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The "$100 laptop" will be available to the developed world for the first time.

On the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) website, chairman and founder Nicholas Negroponte announced that the low-cost, educational XO laptop will be available to purchase by anyone for just two weeks in November

Last week, IT PRO reported that the computer would nearly double in price to $175 (£88), but that OLPC expects to eventually achieve the $100 (£50) price tag.

But from November 12, the Give 1 Get 1 programme will let enthusiasts and the curious get their hands on the device for $399 ($197). For that price, one will be sent to you, and another to a child in a developing nation.

Alternatively, for each $200 (£99) donation, a laptop will be sent to a child somewhere around the world. Governments can buy the devices, but must by a minimum of 250,000.

Walter Bender, the head of software development at OLPC, told the BBC news website that the programme has been deluged with requests to purchase the devices. "From day one there's been a lot of interest expressed in having some way of people in the developed world participate in the programme," he said.

"Out motivations is helping kids learn and giving them an opportunity to participate laptop programme so whatever will advance that cause we will do," he added. "This is something we are going to try and if it looks like it is an affective tool we will do more of it."

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