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If $100 Is Too Steep, Wait for the $75 Laptop

One Laptop Per Child exec spins out new firm to make cheaper model

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 10, 2008 3:30 AM CST
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(Newser) – The former chief technology officer of the One Laptop Per Child program has formed a spin-out company that seeks to take the XO laptop a step further—and reduce the cost of the basic computer from $100 to $75. The new operation, Pixel Qi, will aim to develop a cheaper computer—as well as other low-power electronics—using much of the technology spawned by One Laptop, reports the New York Times
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Critics accuse founder Mary Lou Jepsen of hijacking advances at her former operations for personal profit, but others praise her for creating something new from the foundering nonprofit. Pixel Qi will continue to work with One Laptop, gaining profit only from its dealings with commercial enterprises.

Nicholas Negroponte, founder and chairman of the One Laptop per Child non-profit, gestures during his speech at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
Nicholas Negroponte, founder and chairman of the One Laptop per Child non-profit, gestures during his speech at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008. (AP Photo/Paul...   (Associated Press)
A One Laptop Per Child XO machine is seen in this Sept. 20, 2007 file photo. Mary Lou Jepsen, who left OLPC two weeks ago, is embarking on development of a $75 model. (AP Photo/William B. Plowman, file)
A One Laptop Per Child "XO" machine is seen in this Sept. 20, 2007 file photo. Mary Lou Jepsen, who left OLPC two weeks ago, is embarking on development of a $75 model. (AP Photo/William B. Plowman,...   (Associated Press)
Exadith Solis, 8, works on her laptop in Arahuay, an Andean hilltop village in Peru, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2007. Doubts about the One Laptop Per Child project evaporate about as quickly as the morning dew in this Andean hilltop village where 50 primary school students have spent six months with...
Exadith Solis, 8, works on her laptop in Arahuay, an Andean hilltop village in Peru, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2007. Doubts about the One Laptop Per Child project evaporate about as quickly as the morning dew...   (Associated Press)
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Meanwhile, the One Laptop crowd may be thinning
CNET

One Laptop may soon boot Windows
CNET

Is Intel reneging on its charitable deal?
Telegraph (UK)

 
One Laptop Per Child • Nicholas Negroponte • Mary Lou Jepsen • Pixel Qi • XO laptop

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