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Intel-OLPC spat will not affect low cost computing
By siliconindia
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Wednesday, 09 January 2008, 20:30 IST
Mumbai: Though Intel has ended its partnership with the former MIT Media Lab Director Nicholas Negroponte in the 'One Laptop per Child' (OLPC) project, it will not affect the low cost computing initiatives in India, reported Business Standard.
Both the Classmate PC projects (from Intel) and OLPC pilots (with Reliance Communications) besides low-cost initiatives from players like Novatium, Encore, Xenitis and Allied Computers are gaining momentum independent of each other in the country.
In August 2007, Intel had tied up with HCL Infosystems to introduce the Intel-powered Classmate PC in India from August. Wipro and Zenith Computers are expected to make similar announcements soon.
Around that time, Intel had also announced that it was partnering with Negroponte's OLPC project. However, Negroponte had allegedly asked the chipmaker to stop selling its Classmate PC while it was part of the OLPC (which currently ships its XO laptop, based on a chip from AMD - Intel's arch rival). Five months later, the tie-up has ended.
The cost of each Classmate PC in August was estimated to be a little under $450 (Rs 18,000). However, the OLPC product is priced around $187.5 (Rs 7,500) including taxes and import duties. It included hardware, software and learning programs that will be offered to schools.
Meanwhile, RCom joined hands with Negroponte in the OLPC project in late 2007 (sole representative in India for OLPC) and now distributes laptops on behalf of the foundation and provides network (Internet) support including training school teachers or instructors.
