One Laptop per Child: Sounds cool… Can you tell me what it can do? ?
-> What the Program is: <-
http://laptop.org/en/index.shtml
Mission Statement: To create educational opportunities for the world’s poorest children by providing each child with a rugged, low-cost, low-power, connected laptop with content and software designed for collaborative, joyful, self-empowered learning. When children have access to this type of tool they get engaged in their own education. They learn, share, create, and collaborate. They become connected to each other, to the world and to a brighter future.
-> My Question: <-
Hi! I love the idea of this organization and I would LOVE to spend $200.00 and both get a laptop and give a laptop to someone in the 2nd and 3rd world but I’m wondering if it would be a computer that I could use or if I should give it to someone I know for x-mas.
I’m VERY confused about what the specs are for this system and was wondering if you could help me figure our if the laptop could, say, run QuickBooks and Microsoft Word or if it is just a “Look Stuff Up” sort of “Toy” as apposed to something that I could work with.
I’m NOT complaining… I’m just trying to figure out what it is capable of BEFORE I send the money because I want to know if it would be for ME or if I would give it to a friend or a friend’s child.
If I can’t use the one they will send me, I will donate $100.00 to them just because I am so thrilled with their goals. (And since the new version comes out in 2010, I will donate NOW and buy then perhaps…)
I saw about this organization back a year or two ago on 60 min’s… So I’m happy to see that they are still going strong!!
Thank you very much for any help you can provide.
-> The Specs of the device itself: <-
http://laptop.org/en/laptop/hardware/specs.shtml
Physical dimensions
Approximate dimensions: 242mm×228mm×32mm;
Approximate weight: 1.45KG with LiFeP battery; 1.58KG with NiMH battery;
Configuration: Convertible laptop with pivoting, reversible display; dirt- and moisture-resistant system enclosure; no fan.
Core electronics
CPU: x86-compatible processor with 64KB each L1 I and D cache; at least 128KB L2 cache; AMD Geode LX-700@0.8W (datasheet);
CPU clock speed: 433 Mhz;
ISA compatibility: Support for both the MMX and 3DNow! x86 instruction-set extensions; Athlon instruction set (including MMX and 3DNow! Enhanced) with additional Geode-specific instructions;
Companion chips: PCI and memory interface integrated with CPU; North Bridge: PCI and Memory Interface integrated with Geode CPU; AMD CS5536 South Bridge (datasheet);
Graphics controller: Integrated with Geode CPU; unified memory architecture;
Embedded controller: ENE KB3700 or ENE KB3700B;
DRAM memory: 256 MiB dynamic RAM;
Data rate: Dual — DDR333 — 166 Mhz;
1024KB SPI-interface flash ROM;
Mass storage: 1024 MiB SLC NAND flash, high-speed flash controller;
Drives: No rotating media;
CAFE ASIC (Camera, Flash Enabler chip, provides high-performance Camera, NAND FLASH and SD interfaces); Marvell 88ALP01: (CAFE specification).
Display
Liquid-crystal display: 7.5” Dual-mode TFT display;
Viewing area: 152.4mm × 114.3mm;
Resolution: 1200 (H) × 900 (V) resolution (200 DPI);
Monochrome display: High-resolution, reflective sunlight-readable monochrome mode; Color display: Standard-resolution, Quincunx-sampled, transmissive color mode;
LCD power consumption: 0.1 Watt with backlight off; 0.2–1.0 Watt with backlight on;
The display-controller chip (DCON) with memory that enables the display to remain live with the processor suspended; the display and this chip are the basis of our extremely low power architecture; the display controller chip also enables de-swizzling and anti-aliasing in color mode.
Integrated peripherals
Keyboard: 80+ keys, 1.0mm stroke; sealed rubber-membrane key-switch assembly;
Keyboard layout details;
Keyboard layout pictures: international, Thai, Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese, West African, Urdu, Mongolian, Cyrillic, Amharic;
Gamepad: Two sets of four-direction cursor-control keys;
Touchpad: Dual capacitance/resistive touchpad; supports written-input mode; ALPS Electric Dual capacitive/resistive touchpad;
Audio: AC97-compatible audio audio subsystem; internal stereo speakers and amplifier; internal monophonic microphone; jacks for external headphones and microphone; Analog Devices AD1888 and Analog Devices SSM2211 for audio amplification;
Wireless networking: Integrated 802.11b/g (2.4GHz) interface; 802.11s (Mesh) networking supported; dual adjustable, rotating coaxial antennas; supports diversity reception; capable of mesh operation when CPU is powered down; Marvell Libertas 88W8388 controller and 88W8015 radio;
Status indicators: Power, battery, WiFi (2); visible when lid is open or closed; microphone in-use and camera in-use visible when lid is open;
Video camera: integrated color vision camera; 640×480 resolution at 30FPS; Omnivision OV7670.
External connectors
DC
The laptop uses a modified Linux operating system. It doesn’t run windows programs, but has built in software such as word processors and spreadsheet programs. It is useful, and can be charged by turning the hand crank generator. This isn’t just some toy for people, it is actually a useful piece of electronics.
Hope this helps
November 8th, 2009 at 2:25 am
ya it sould do everything you want it to except DVDs
References :
November 8th, 2009 at 2:49 am
The laptop uses a modified Linux operating system. It doesn’t run windows programs, but has built in software such as word processors and spreadsheet programs. It is useful, and can be charged by turning the hand crank generator. This isn’t just some toy for people, it is actually a useful piece of electronics.
Hope this helps
References :