In my high-tech marketing class, the professor discussed the Tuesday announcement by the Indian ministry of education: the availability of a $10 laptop.
Apparently, the “Sakshat” laptop will have 2GB of memory, Wi-Fi, wired Ethernet, and will use 2 watts of power. The device will initially cost $20, but is supposed to drop to $10 within six months as production ramps up. Also, the $10 is apparently not supposed to be a subsidized cost, just a production cost.
The professor brought up the topic as an example of overpromising, and likely underdelivering. "It's just all PR," he said. I have to agree, 'cause I just don't see how it's possible to have an unsubsidized $10 laptop, raw materials alone. Even the One Laptop Per Child Foundation, which has been trying to produce a low-cost laptop for children in developing countries, has only managed to squeeze the cost down to $188.
If these $10 laptops really do become available, I'd like to pick one up just to see if it actually works!
1 comment:
I will pay you $20 to bring back one of these $10 laptops! It shouldn't be too much of a pain to carry it around Australia, right? :)
Let us know if you actually see one. That would be incredible.
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