OLPC XO-1

DathsGarage — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 09:42:29 +0000

OLPC XO-1 with the display folded around

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

Indlægget OLPC XO-1 blev først udgivet på Daths Garage.