Competitor Profile: OLPC XO
June 16th, 2007 by antThe OLPC XO is an inexpensive laptop developed to be distributed to children around the world as a learning tool and educational information device. It runs a stripped down version of Fedora Linux using Sugar as an interface. While many in the media have created a rivalry between the XO and the Eee PC in recent weeks, the devices truly have different intentions. The XO is not intended to be released as a consumer device, unlike the Eee PC. It is intended for the children of the developing world. Recently, however, the manufacturer of the XO has expressed intentions to release a similar device to the consumer marketof the developed world.
Some of the most important aspects of the XO are in power supply and networking. Early prototypes included hand-crank ing mechanisms for recharging the device in locations that do not have proper electric sources. Networking focuses on communicating with other XO devices nearby, as many locations that children will be using the devices in do not have easy access to the Internet.
As of now, the OLPC XO is only $15 less than the Asus Eee PC 701 with much lower specifications and a design intended for children. It should be interesting to see how the device plays out in the developing world, and how a developed world consumer model would look and cost if produced.
Specifications (from here):
- Processor: AMD Geode 433Mhz
- RAM: 256mb DDR333
- Storage: 1gb
- Display: 7.5″ TFT
- Resolution: 1200 x 900
- Dimensions: 242mm x 228mm x 32mm
- Weight: 1.5kg
- Price: $175
Further reading:
July 12th, 2007 at 1:53 pm
Although the OLPC will not be available on the commercial market, it has one BIG advantage over the Asus Eee PC-701. Instead of the PC-701’s barely adequate VGA 800×480 screen resolution, the OLPC’s 7.5 inch screen has a far more practical 1200×900 screen resolution.
Since the Eee PC-701 is intended to be a PC and not a PDA, Asus should rethink their product or at least provide an option for SVGA 1024×768 resolution in their PC-701 size subnotebook.
800×480 may have been okay in the 1990’s but is inadequate for a PC in today’s world.
Bob Carroll - Las Vegas
July 21st, 2007 at 2:56 am
However, the 1200 x 900 is only in grayscale mode.
In color mode, it’s around 693 x 520.
It’s unclear because the color mode uses odd diagonal pixel rendering.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OLPC_XO#Display
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:17 am
Xanax….
Xanax bars. Xanax dosage….