Classmate PCs doomed already?

Governments and OEM partners in the emerging markets, who previously had shown great interest in the classmate PCs have asked the manufactures to CANCEL or SUSPEND the shipments. However, the manufactures of Classmate PCs (Quanta Computer and Elitegroup Computer Systems) are unperturbed as the order volumes were not huge by any means.

Intel is yet to comment on the sudden cancellation of orders.

India buys 250,000 OLPCs

Couple of months back, we reviewed the Nova Navigator, touted as “India’s $100 PC.” But, it was a nettop and not a laptop or a netbook. As a result of that, Indian Government has decided to purchase 250,000 XO OLPCs. These machines will be distributed in nearly 1500 schools throughout the country.

OLPC launched a pivot program in India in the year 2007, where the OLPC gave away 20 XO in the Khairat-Dhangarwada village in the state of Maharashtra (India).

OLPC is an organization which sells low cost laptops to the governments of developing countries. The XO laptop by OLPC does not come with any fan inside. However, it is dirt and moisture resistant which makes it ideal for use in dirty environments.