OLPC – One Laptop Per Child, also known a the $100 laptop, was a non-profit initiative that had a goal of suppling educational devices for children in the developing world with cheap and accessible computing resources in the form of a small laptop with included software. The OLPC XO-1 was a low-cost and low-power laptop that looked like nothing else compared to how a typical laptop was designed. When my daughter first saw the laptop sitting on my workbench she called it a Shrek computer because of the bright green color and the unfolded Wi-Fi antennas looking like the ears of Shrek.
Even though the computer has limited processing resources it comes with a color display, Wi-Fi, stereo speakers, touchpad, spill resistance keyboard, web-camera, rotating screen that makes it a tablet and with a build-in handle in a rugged design. This computer only comes with a standard 230V power adapter to charge the computer. Another way to charge it was through a solar panel or a hand operated generator.
RELEVANCE
This laptop is interesting because everything about it is different compared to a normal laptop. It looks very much like a child’s computer because of the bright green color and it looks very plastic and rubber like. It’s funny because of the form factor with a build in handle like the Tulip E-Go or the Toughbook a feature you only see on rugged laptops. XO-1 is unique and no one since it has tried to build something similar.
GALLERY
SPECIFICATIONS
| Manufacturer | Quanta Computer |
| Model | OLPC XO-1 |
| Form factor | Subnotebook |
| Released | November 2007 |
| Price | US$100 (planned) actual price US$188 |
| CPU | 433 MHz x86 AMD Geode |
| RAM | 256 MB DDR266 |
| Storage | 1024 MB NAND flash memory |
| Display | 7.5″ 1200×900 transflective LCD |
| OS | Fedora Linux |
| Dimensions | 242 x 228 x 32 mm |
| Weight | 1,450 g (LiFePO4 battery version) |
| I/O ports | 3x USB 2.0, microphone and line-out jacks |
| Power | DC 11-18 V plug, 2-cell rechargeable LiFePO4 battery 3100 mAh. |
| Special features | Everything about it is special, color, handle, rubber keyboard, eInk display |
| Condition | No signs of wear or scratches. Works perfectly |
| Accessories | 230V power supply and cardboard box |
| Serial ID | SHC8290063B |
| To do | Try to play around with the programs |
PURCHASE
I never actively searched for this computer. I had heard about it but it’s not a computer you see for sale often. Instead it came to me one day where I had to take some trash to the electronics container. There it was lying in its original cardboard box together with the charger. To my big surprise it worked when I plugged in the power cable. This computer is very unique because of its background and history, but it’s also a very funny childish design in a different formfactor.
RESTORATIONS AND MODIFICATION
Except for giving it a brief cleaning with a cloth, nothing has been done to this computer. My guess is that it has been lying in its cardbox for almost all of its life.
LINKS
