OLPC Announces Buy-2-Get-1 XO Laptop Sale

theodp writes "Starting November 12, The One Laptop Per Child Project will sell its affordable XO laptop to Americans for a brief period of time, but there's a slight catch: U.S. buyers must purchase two computers — one for their own child and one for a child in the developing world — for a total cost of $399. 'Staff members of the laptop project were concerned that American children might try the pared-down machines and find them lacking compared to their Apple, Hewlett-Packard or Dell laptops. Then, in this era of immediate global communications, they might post their criticisms on Web sites and blogs read around the world, damaging the reputation of the XO Laptop, the project staff worried. So the laptop project sponsored focus-group research with American children, ages 7 to 11, at the end of August. The results were reassuringly positive.'"

$100+$100 = $399?

[skinfitz]

I thought this was the $100 laptop?

If so, how is it buying two costs $399?

Or are they Canadian dollars?

Re:$100+$100 = $399?

[Poromenos1]

Didn't you hear? The "Canadian dollar" jokes were switched for "American dollar" jokes recently.

I like the XO, but I am tired of the fleecing ....

[WindBourne]

that Americans take. They will sell the systems here, but only at a double price. And yet, these systems will soon be in other countries at the low prices.

In addition, we buy these systems, and one will be sent to a developing nation. Well, I have been watching American education heading backwards. While I have defended our Education, it was more based on what I recall as a child. IOW, my generation KNEW the geography that we are accused of not knowing. But I talk to kids today and it is obvious that their core knowledge is degrading (as well as their desire to work). I worry about my kids (1 and 3.5) future. I would like to see at least some of these computers go to American schools. Do not get me wrong. I like donating to developing countries, but we also need to take care of home. Our inner cities need help. Even rural schools could use these.

Does the World Really Need OLPC?

[Anonymous Coward]

Friends, I have a modest proposal. I contend that OLPC is a massive waste of resources [shelleytherepublican.com]. It goes further than the usual liberal scourge of "good intentions" - it may actually be a covert Russian weapon [shelleytherepublican.com] designed to weaken the fabric of our society by introducing socialized medicin [shelleytherepublican.com], together with all the moral turpitude [wordpress.com] this will induce.

Re:I like the XO, but I am tired of the fleecing .

[onion2k]

I worry about my kids (1 and 3.5) future.

Is your next kid going to be named '95'?

Re:I like the XO, but I am tired of the fleecing .

[pimpimpim]

Don't get me wrong, but I personally believe that US Americans are unable to get good education, because Osama people in the nation, and I believe that the education over here in the US should help countries such as everywhere like the Iraq and South Africa such as, to be able to get a good future.

Wait! Wait! This is confusing!

[N3wsByt3]

"Buy a Laptop for a Child, Get Another Laptop Free"

We're getting a $100 laptop for free when we pay $399 for two?!

Luckily both weren't for free, or we would have to pay $799!

Re:$100+$100 = $399?

[ultranova]

I thought this was the $100 laptop?

If so, how is it buying two costs $399?

Because they are built around old Pentium processors. It's just a little rounding error, nothing to be upset about.

In other news, several telecom companies have offered to by old Pentiums for their billing systems.

Re:Canadian Coins Too

[Anonymous Coward]

It's a fairly common thing for neighbouring countries to use similar templates. Down here in Australia, most of the New Zealand and Fiji coins are the same size, shape and weight as their Australian counterparts.

The theory

[Hao Wu]

That poor foreign kids should/need to/want to emulate little American dorks.

Each laptop should come with free samples of Lithium, Prozac, and Ritalin -- plus an instruction guide for developing ADD/ADHD and avoiding contact with girls.

Re:Does it run linux?

[bob.appleyard]

You thought to include gold, and a laptop, but no food?

Geeks clearly aren't cut out for this post apocalypse lark.

Re:Canadian Coins Too

[Fred_A]

It's true here too, for example the 1 Euro coins from Belgium, Germany and France are amazingly similar...

Re:Very dissapointed.

[Call Me Black Cloud]

"Dear Amari,

It's Thanksgiving here! We're having a big feast later today, with enough food to feed 3 families! What's new with you?

Jimmy"

"Dear Jimmy,

I had a feast just yesterday. We ate some leaves and drank tan water. Much better than the brown water we normally drink.

By the way, you have the same last name as a contractor my father was doing business with. The contractor died before being paid and my father says there is $7.4 million dollars that can be withdrawn only by someone with the same last name. If you would like to split the money with us, please send us your parents' account numbers.

Amari"