Well this is definitely a nice gadget for urban kids but it doesn't make much sense in a rural background. First of all, the memory space is too less (256 MB plus 1 GB flash drive) and also there is no hard drive, no optical media, no floppy drives. So it will hardly be of any use to a teenager. So it essentially restricts the target customers to pre teen kinds. Secondly $100 price tag is just a myth. The Windows version costs a lot more (How many pre teen kids would be comformatble with a KDE or GNOME GUI ?). Practically the only purpose it serves is to provide a low-priced device for browsing webpages. But of what use would it be to a kid in a rural area where there is no connectivity ?
RE:does it really make sense ?
by ravi sinha on Aug 07, 2008 12:47 PM Permalink
well, for learning pupose, this equipment is well enough.this laptop is made for education oriented for that i gb hard disk is well enough.this is not made for watching movies ,playing game ,and using heavy software application which is making no sense for child.
RE:does it really make sense ?
by kaustubh saha on Aug 07, 2008 12:39 PM Permalink
Think about it again. Would you buy a device that has no hard drive, no optical drive ... which doesnt support Windows ... and which has less than 1.5 GB of memory for $200 ?
RE:RE:does it really make sense ?
by Alankar Sharma on Aug 07, 2008 12:56 PM Permalink
Are you a rural child then ? Don't misuse your money to buy a thing which is conceptualised for poor and rural kids. If you have a child and also have enough money then buy the high-end computer yourself, but don't mock the concept.
RE:RE:does it really make sense ?
by Vinod Bijlani on Aug 07, 2008 01:35 PM Permalink
Kaustubh, you r just full of urself. " RE:does it really make sense ? by kaustubh saha on Aug 07, 2008 12:39 PM Think about it again. Would you buy a device that has no hard drive, no optical drive ... which doesnt support Windows ... and which has less than 1.5 GB of memory for $200 ?"
RE:does it really make sense ?
by krish nayak on Aug 07, 2008 12:51 PM Permalink
umm... why not if reliance can provide the wi fi connectivity in the schools... its about partenering with the corporates and the government..
one should try atleast.. rather being pessimistic about its viability.
take the first step and sure u will get the other steps too..
RE:does it really make sense ?
by Shyam on Aug 07, 2008 01:01 PM Permalink
Reliance will provide services only where there is profit (high profit). They are even closing down their Petrol Pumps in the national highways due to low profits. You expect private sector to do service in rural India. Which world are you living Dear friend?
RE:does it really make sense ?
by Vinod Bijlani on Aug 07, 2008 01:34 PM Permalink
Kaustubh, have u seen the current linux gui? device for browsing webpages - cant webpages provide information? the whole point of the device is spreading information. the purpose is not do development or play games on tht machine.
RE:does it really make sense ?
by palash kumar on Aug 07, 2008 12:50 PM Permalink
1. Its not a media centre PC but an educational tool. The specs are for its target custmers. 2. Windows version will of course be costly, thats one reason why it should run on linux. 3. pre teen kids will be absolutely comfortable wi KDE or GNOME both of which are very easy and intuitive interfaces. I personally have seen kids given a KDE gui and they explore the PC without even feeling a difference. 4, they are not built to surf webpages. these are for learning purposes. 5. connectivity is not a problem any more. Cell Phone networks can serve as data gateways also. better connetivity will be soon be possible with technologies such as 3G and wimax.
RE:does it really make sense ?
by Alankar Sharma on Aug 07, 2008 12:50 PM Permalink
Kaustubhji, Have you used or seen kids tutorials or Fun and Learn games on computers ? Have you seen kids using Paintbrush etc to create drawings ? By your message it is not being seen. So a computer (low-end one) can be used for these purposes for ruler chieldren as well. The concept is not to give a device to have only fun with like Chatting, networking and other useless (sometime these are good to have but these are most misused) services. The idea is to make kids use devices for betterment of their learning so they don't stay behind the richer breed of children. Don't you see this as a boon to kids in far flung areas of this country ? Further, MIT is not a commercial organization promoting their products like Pepsi and McD. They can deliver better products than Windows, and better softwares. Overall it is not a commercial product, so don't compare it witha Dell Lappy having 160 GB HDD and 3 GB of RAM Ha...ha.... This is just for kids. Thanks, Alankar
