TSA Loses Laptops With 'Verified' Flyer Details

Ok, How About A $12 Computer?

from the that's-more-like-it dept

Tue, Aug 5th 2008 1:20pm — Mike Masnick

Last week, we wrote about supposed efforts in India to build a $10 computer. However, Indian officials later explained that there was a typo in the transcript to the speech in question, and they really meant a $100 computer. But don't think others aren't trying for cheaper computers. The Raw Feed points out that some folks at MIT (ironically, the home of OLPC founder Nicholas Negroponte) are working on building $12 computers for the developing world, using the old Apple II as a base. It seems like an interesting plan, though still quite far away from reality. But, still, in this space, more competition is good, no matter how much Negroponte wishes he were the only provider.

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Filed Under: $100 computer, $12 computer, computers, developing world, mit

24 Comments

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mcs, 5 Aug 2008 @ 1:55pm

$12 computer...
I think casio had the jump on this years ago.
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Joel Coehoorn, 5 Aug 2008 @ 2:10pm

Just the beginning
Imagine they succeed, and can build an appleII equivalent for $12, and it's done in two years. Now imagine they keep the process going, and are able to update components at the same rate the technology has moved for the next 20 years. What have is the ability to buy today's computer for $12. Of course, 20 years from now that will seem... antiquated. But we sure seem to be able to do a lot with the technology in it's current state.
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Uday Shankar, 5 Aug 2008 @ 2:12pm

How about a cure for cancer?
I'd rather see a $12 cure for cancer, but then again I already have a computer.

Maybe other peoples priorities are different than mine.
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- Will, 5 Aug 2008 @ 2:23pm
  
  Re: How about a cure for cancer?
  I agree, but I doubt the money they spend on trying to find this cheep computer would find the cure to cancer. Plus think of all education applications for a 12$ computer. Personally I wouldn't be effected cause I've grown up with a 'privileged' life, but even so those who don't have the money for a computer this would be very helpful.
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  - mcs, 5 Aug 2008 @ 2:29pm
    
    Re: Re: How about a cure for cancer?
    "Plus think of all education applications for a 12$ computer."
    
    I didnt read that the computer provided the tools that modern businesses use (ie microsoft "blank"). If that's the case, I can't think if any education applications. How about $12 text books, there's a nice step towards better education.
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    - dorpass, 5 Aug 2008 @ 2:31pm
      
      Re: Re: Re: How about a cure for cancer?
      $12 computer can provide access to MANY text books, not just one $12 text book.
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      - mcs, 5 Aug 2008 @ 3:19pm
        
        Re: Re: Re: Re: How about a cure for cancer?
        Did you read the source article? Since you're adding functionality to the $12 computer, why not add the ability to multitask, ability to play music and create webservers. Man this $12 computer sounds more wonderful every imaginary second. Care to add any more misinformation?
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    - Anonymous Coward, 5 Aug 2008 @ 2:33pm
      
      Re: Re: Re: How about a cure for cancer?
      If a $12 laptop became available, textbook information could be put on it a less than the resource cost it takes to make a traditional textbook.
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  - Anonymous Coward, 8 Aug 2008 @ 12:33am
    
    Re: Re: How about a cure for cancer?
    cheep effects? (sic)
    
    Seems that 'privileged' life of yours made you a lazy speller too!
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ET, 5 Aug 2008 @ 2:26pm

How about sending more probes out to Mars to search for life?
Maybe we can stop wasting cash searching for life on other planets! Let's focus on helping the life out on this one! They could redirect 10% of that cash into producing this $12 computer for the poor. Use 45% for drilling for more oil and building up refining plants in the good old USA and the other 45% in alternative fuels (Wind, Solar, Nuclear!!), again in the good old USA. Stop sending our cash to China, Middle East, and freaking MARS!
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- joe, 5 Aug 2008 @ 2:36pm
  
  Re: How about sending more probes out to Mars to search for life?
  i would rather MY tax money went to more probes of mars than to a single $12 computer. So speak for yourself.
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Molly W., 5 Aug 2008 @ 2:46pm

Re: Re: Re: Re: How about a cure for cancer?
A $12 computer probably wouldn't have enough memory to store a file the size of a textbook, or the ability to get online. How is it even possible to build a computer that cheap? I guess if you used really really outdated parts, if they still worked. . .and made it huge. . .
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- Anonymous Coward, 6 Aug 2008 @ 7:00am
  
  Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: How about a cure for cancer?
  "A $12 computer probably wouldn't have enough memory to store a file the size of a textbook, or the ability to get online"
  
  Wow, you really don't know much about file sizes do you?
  
  A 700 page, graphics intense PDF document weighs in at 6.5MB. Going for text only you can get 700 pages in about 1.6MB.
  
  Hardly what you'd call space intensive.
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Anonymous Coward, 5 Aug 2008 @ 3:16pm

Most people toss a computer
when it get out dated. Those pc could be used for much longer if we did not watch movies or play video games on them. We could ship them to countries that don't have a pc in every home and those people would be more than happy to use them. I have thrown away enough pc parts over the last year to build at least one if not 2 old slow pc that I could have given away. I'm just lazy.
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Meoip, 5 Aug 2008 @ 3:28pm

I have two $25 computers which this would be a nice addition to. My employees print pictures for me, I bought them a printer that has a card reader, since most of them can't operate a computer this functions as a computer to print pictures. This is counts as my first computer since it serves the function of a computer. I also have a 8 year old clunker which they can type reports on it prints the reports and saves them as PDF's and RDF. I bought both this year for $25 each.

All that to say we can have $25 computers that serve specialized tasks. Right now we use our single computers for to much they don't need to do and shouldn't do. My average computer at work doesn't need to surf the internet or design graphics it needs to print pictures and fill out reports and access a small database.
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Anonymous Coward, 5 Aug 2008 @ 4:08pm

I've never bought a computer for $12 but I've had a few that were worth less than $12.
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Alannis Morisette, 5 Aug 2008 @ 4:10pm

Ironic?
"The Raw Feed points out that some folks at MIT (ironically, the home of OLPC founder Nicholas Negroponte) are working on building $12 computers for the developing world, using the old Apple II as a base"

How is that ironic? People in the same area have similar goals?!? That's SO ironic!
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- Spectere, 5 Aug 2008 @ 4:27pm
  
  Re: Ironic?
  Yes, every single university in the world has people working to create cheap computers for the masses. It's totally a common thing and all, that's why there are so many cheap computers out there!
  
  "See, I can be sarcastic, too!"
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  - Anonymous Coward, 5 Aug 2008 @ 5:03pm
    
    Re: Re: Ironic?
    negroponte doesn't approve of programs other than his developing super-cheap computers. nevertheless, another group really close to negroponte is trying to develop them. that's ironic.
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Trerro, 5 Aug 2008 @ 4:25pm

For those mentioning cancer
If computers are more widely available, that means more people in developing countries are capable of doing some heavy math processing - possibly including someone with a genetic idea that WILL cure cancer, who never would've gotten there if his country didn't have cheap computers while he was learning.

Ditto on space tech - more computers = better education and more people with ideas having more access to the computing power needed to develop those ideas.

So no, this isn't a waste of money, it's an investment that pays off many, many times over in the long run.
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GreenJuice, 5 Aug 2008 @ 5:24pm

all good
Its all good.. $12 comps for them, means humungous mega proc for us @200? Que. Then when they go on-line to play doom4 they will have sooo much lag, that we will beat them in the Woruld Gaming Olympics, doublin our tally of golds and silvers. Its all good.
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- Anonymous Coward, 5 Aug 2008 @ 5:41pm
  
  Re: all good
  :D
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GeneralEmergency (profile), 5 Aug 2008 @ 7:02pm

Obligitory Maxwell Smart...
Ok, How About A $12 Computer?

No?

Well then would you believe a $23 computer and a free Chihuahua for tech support?
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zcat, 5 Aug 2008 @ 11:20pm

$0 computer
I have a pile of $0 computers here; mostly 500MHz, 256M ram. They're a bit slow for Ubuntu but run Puppy like a dream. I've given away quite a few already but people just keep giving me more..
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