India seems to be gearing up for $10 laptops. The HRD ministry wants to make this a reality. There have been some experiments going on to make network and Internet easily available.
It is interesting to note that all these involve a minimal, low-cost computer, whether a PC or a laptop. This is to drive down the barrier of adoption in the rural areas. Quite encouraging. However, what seems to be missing in this $10 laptop, is the purpose behind it. Who is it for? What is it for? I am sure with Moore’s Law behind us we will get close to this. However, the laptop will have to be useful first to be able to make its low price attractive.
It will be quite interesting to see where we are going with all this. There is already a talk of free broadband, more and more services are available online and if this works out it will offer a better solution than OLPC. But with the popularity of mobiles, I wonder why the mobile would not be the next laptop!
May 5th, 2007 at 9:21 pm
Somehow, I don’t buy this story. The Times of India isn’t exactly known for its credibility, and $10 is a pittance, regardless of where you go. In fact, from my experience, electronics in India are more expensive. My uncle in India always purchases cameras and laptops in the US (via us).
May 7th, 2007 at 5:03 pm
Mukund, I would not doubt it entirely. If the story was false, there would be an uproar by now, at least in the competing publications.
As far as the actual subject goes, we can only speculate currently. The designs will have to be out for anything better. I am an optimist, so I am going to look forward to it. Although I still believe that it seems to lack purpose.