Indian Government has unveiled plans to produce a $10 laptop as part of a government sponsored education scheme. As per R P Agrawal, the laptop should be available within 6 months.
The laptop will have 2 Gig memory and Internet connectivity and run on a Linux flavor. $939 million have been earmarked for the project and I wont be surprised if the laptops are heavily subsidized by the government funding. But that’s still ok, if the govt can actually make it happen.
I still have my own doubts about the Internet connectivity and how successful this project will be. It’d be unfair to make any judgements or comments about it yet, since there’s no working prototype yet.
If we can make it happen though, it will be a huge step forward — Just like the TATA Nano, we can go unlock the potential in other emerging and underdeveloped countries.
Do you think the $10 laptop is feasible ? If its doable, do you think it will benefit our society ?
via release
As per my point of view it is not feasible..but after Government subsidy anything is possible. But I will wait for it to buy at least 4-5 for my family.
It is very much doable. Already lots of subsidies are given to areas where it is not properly targeted or not necessary. For example, Tamil Nadu Government is giving free electricity to all farmers, Free Television set & Free Gas Stoves with Gas Connection, Groceries during pongal festival for all (Ofcourse with an eye on vote bank) & Bicyle for High School Students .
Education is considered as foremost priority by all segments of people(More so by middle class & lower class). If a $10 laptop is made available, there is a strong possibility that governments will soon announce free laptop as a poll sop.
Personally i feel that if it is possible to get the used computers from all over the world (where most of it ends up in garbage) & do some recycling in a smart way, $10 Laptop is very much feasible with less subsidy.
Regarding Internet connectivity, it can be provided in schools, where students can plugin their laptops. Some broadband providers like Asianet have affordable tariff plans & also lots of money is there in USO fund which can be used for this purpose. In almost all villages have cable TV connection/Network, which can be used to provide Internet connection.
@santhanam,
i agree regarding the recycling part — in fact there are a few for profit companies that already do something of this sort.. cant recollect the names from top of my mind..
UPDATE: 10$ laptop is a hoax.
yeah even i read it at arun’s blog tht its a hoax…. wht a crap!!
@sachin, @rabi,
I’m gonna withhold any statement till we see the product launched. If they can make it happen (even with the govt subsidy and what not), it could still be a winner.
but i agree that the announcement was much ado about nothing.
Its good that government is taking some action which is needed for rural educational development. The present education system really needs to come of age if we need to look at 21 century.But I think they are going in the wrong direction as our strength has always been in mathematics and science. If we start using computers students wil start using word ad excel and become puppets of Microsoft. SO i think they need to think their position and not launch such stuff which is environmentally not very viable and we as a country loose our competitive advantage.
This will only increase extra garbage ; coz in the world of technology every thing becomes poor after a couple of months