Aussies can buy the XO OLPC online from November 30 - guaranteeing you're in the good books with the kids this Christmas.
We're told there will be only 1,200 of the Shrek-like laptops on offer in Australia, and they'll cost $US399 and you'll need to order online at www.laptop.org.au/participate. That may give you pause for thought, until you consider that the organisation will send another laptop to a disadvantaged child, and you'll have a piece of tech that makes even Apple's Air look ordinary.
At the heart of the OLPC is a Linux system, with 1GB of flash storage. You have the ability to run XP of SD card if you want, and there's WiFi, 3 USB slots, a Webcam and a 7.5" LCD.
What's neat is that the laptop will supposedly withstand a bit of rough and tumble. It folds up like a little toy briefcase, and we're told it'll withstand drops of a couple of metres, or "rainstorms and dust".
One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) has been sending out their vibrant XO laptops since the end of 2006, with over 500,000 allocated in 31 countries, and plans to have 1, 000, 000 delivered by the end of 2008.
Chaired by Nicholas Negroponte, OLPC is donating one XO laptop to a disadvantaged child for every laptop purchased.
For disadvantaged children in rural and remote communities, the chances of being able to afford a brand new laptop are slim - a vast contrast from the tech-wise kids of suburbia, where accessing Internet, gaming and educational software is a relative breeze.
The laptops are aimed for children aged six to twelve. There is an integrated mesh network that allows users to have the option of chatting with other users in their “Neighbourhood". One specific activity is called “Distance”, where the laptop uses sonar-based reading to measure the distance between two XO laptops in a range.
They can even be powered with solar energy, and take up very little office or desk space. The laptop’s keyboard is designed to prevent any spillage from entering the computer, and there are no air vents and no heat. The battery is expected to run for five to six hours when minimal usage is in action.
If you want to find out more about OLPC and the XO laptops visit www.olpc.org.au/.