The key to the $100 Indian computer? Used CRTs.

We're not even going to touch on all the stupid things that have gotten fired through our old CRTs, but the latest player in the super low-cost Indian PC revolution, Novatium, believes the key to the $75 computer is in used CRTs. After all, the things are getting junked left and right  in first world countries in favor of flat-panels, so why not put 'em to good use instead of letting all that lead-oxide and harmful waste seep into the environment (just yet). Of course, it's more difficult to control quality this way—which is also something crucial to the egalitarian PC sold to the extremely poor—but it seems you gotta stay inventive if you want classless computing for the billions.

[Ben Dash @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

If the price point is $75 then it's possible that the $100, retail, Zipit Wireless may be an option. It has certain advantages over a low price desktop, i.e. it has low power requirements, batteries, WiFi. A desktop PC will require an investment into providing AC power while a zipit could be charge of a DC dynamo attached to a bicycle. The Zipit does not rely on a wired communications infrastructure being available since it is wireless. The Zipit runs Linux so it's got a lot of potential.

[Patroski @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

What's the cost of collecting all those used CRT's and shipping them to India? Sounds very expensive.

My idea: make phone sized lcd screens and ship a pair of coke bottle glasses with each come to magnify the screen 10x. Wear your glasses out on the town to pick up the babes when you're not using them to see the screen.