One Laptop Per 2 Children Concept

I commend One Laptop Per Child for its vision, but there are quite a few design and concepts about its program and laptop that I would change. Here is my idea: an advanced e-reader/simplified notebook device at $299 shared by two children.

Many households do not even own more than one computer. There are few reasons why two children cannot share a single laptop. Sharing will encourage cooperation and group studying. The duo will have to learn together and will discover the value of sharing and community. Financially, one laptop per two children cuts needed funding in half. Numerous XO (and the upcoming XO 1.5) specs strike me as odd and unnecessary. First of all, why not run a free and well supported operating system? I recommend Ubuntu, which is a possibility with beefier hardware. Sure, Linux is far more complicated than OLPC’s software, but there are piles of FAQs and guides available free of charge. Amazon’s Kindle is my inspiration for the OLP2C concept. I am opting for a small keypad instead of a full-sized keyboard –thus eliminating the laptop hinge and bottom casing. Add a Blackberry type trackpad for navigation. An external mouse and keyboard can always be added for serious typing sessions. The cheapest mono speaker available, basic wireless, and card readers will suffice.

The chipset and low capacity, mechanical hard drive will hopefully be supplied at cost. In order for this concept to work, big name corporations like Intel/AMD, Western Digital, LG, etc. must sign on to support it. As incentive for these companies, OLP2C can offer them positive public relations and advertising.

What these children require is a netbook in an e-reader form. Forget about touch-screens, tablet, proprietary operating systems, etc.; instead, go with the established. Essentially, my idea is to simplify the XO into an advanced e-reader, excluding the full-size keyboard (thereby lowering production costs on hinges and a two-tier enclosure), bumping up system specs, while avoiding extraneous stuff. Scholars should be enlisted to provide free educational content exclusively for certain countries.

Call me crazy, but this idea just might be doable with the generosity of mega corporations. I am skeptical that OLPC’s actual plans have a chance when it is based on such ancient technology and lacks patronage from computer giants and academics who are willing to participate.