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Give an XO, Get an XO
I don't think the One Laptop Per Child project knows what it is about to unleash.
On November 12, and for an unspecified (but brief) period following, the OLPC project will offer the "Give 1, Get 1" special:
For $399, you will be purchasing two XO laptops—one that will be sent to empower a child to learn in a developing nation, and one that will be sent to your child at home.
(Heh, yeah, "your child at home.")
But that's it: for $399, you'll get an XO laptop of your own, and fund an XO for a child in the developing world.
Considering the hype and the enthusiasm surrounding the XO, and considering that, as far as gadgets go, $400 isn't really a huge investment, I expect the demand for this to be huge. The question, then, is the OLPC project ready to meet that demand?
(Update: Ethan Zuckerman has further observations, well worth reading.)
Comments
Jamais,
I too share your concern about OLPC handling the demand, XO production is delayed yet again: http://www.olpcnews.com/hardware/production/xo_laptop_production_delay.html
Posted by: Wayan @ OLPC News | September 23, 2007 8:20 PM
(I'm sure you're going to alleviate that concern by not 'participating'? ;-)
I note that you can't actually place your order yet, just signify your interest with a request for a reminder.
One way that OLPC could handle the supply problem is to reserve a limited number of PCs for this offer, and then make it clear that it starts at midnight on November 12, and expires when the last one is sold.
.. They did say 'brief period'!
Posted by: Tony Fisk | September 23, 2007 9:25 PM