http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/22/microsoft-flexgo-pay-as-you-go-pcs/ Engadget Comments for http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/22/microsoft-flexgo-pay-as-you-go-pcs/http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/22/microsoft-flexgo-pay-as-you-go-pcs/May 22nd 2006 9:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/05/22/microsoft-flexgo-pay-as-you-go-pcs/http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/22/microsoft-flexgo-pay-as-you-go-pcs/
From the description it sounds way too complicated. Especially, compared to the bunch of recycled PCs in kiosk mode loaded with free Linux distro.

Anyway, most people use PCs mostly for browing - i.e. they search for information - there is no need for anything that complecated.

As for games, most developing markets I have observed, have quite well established industry of game console renting. IOW, kids use their allowances (or gift from parents) to rent some PS2 with load of games for several days. Again, it's simpler than some subscription.]]>May 22nd 2006 9:50AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/05/22/microsoft-flexgo-pay-as-you-go-pcs/http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/22/microsoft-flexgo-pay-as-you-go-pcs/May 22nd 2006 10:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/05/22/microsoft-flexgo-pay-as-you-go-pcs/http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/22/microsoft-flexgo-pay-as-you-go-pcs/May 22nd 2006 10:56AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/05/22/microsoft-flexgo-pay-as-you-go-pcs/http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/22/microsoft-flexgo-pay-as-you-go-pcs/May 22nd 2006 10:58AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/05/22/microsoft-flexgo-pay-as-you-go-pcs/http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/22/microsoft-flexgo-pay-as-you-go-pcs/
lots of poor black kids in those countries.]]>May 22nd 2006 11:36AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/05/22/microsoft-flexgo-pay-as-you-go-pcs/http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/22/microsoft-flexgo-pay-as-you-go-pcs/May 22nd 2006 12:32PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/05/22/microsoft-flexgo-pay-as-you-go-pcs/http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/22/microsoft-flexgo-pay-as-you-go-pcs/This comes off as a cynical way to exploit the poor, if you ask me." ]]>May 22nd 2006 12:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/05/22/microsoft-flexgo-pay-as-you-go-pcs/http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/22/microsoft-flexgo-pay-as-you-go-pcs/
lots of poor black kids in those countries.'

Well, since this card is for the Brasilian market:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brasil

"Brazil has a large black population, descended from African slaves brought to the country from the 16th century until the 19th century. More than 3 million Africans were brought to Brazil until the end of slave trafficking in 1850. They were mainly from Angola, Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, the Ivory Coast and São Tomé e Príncipe. The African population in Brazil has mixed substantially with the Portuguese, resulting in a large mixed-race population."]]>May 22nd 2006 1:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/05/22/microsoft-flexgo-pay-as-you-go-pcs/http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/22/microsoft-flexgo-pay-as-you-go-pcs/May 22nd 2006 1:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/05/22/microsoft-flexgo-pay-as-you-go-pcs/http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/22/microsoft-flexgo-pay-as-you-go-pcs/May 22nd 2006 1:46PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/05/22/microsoft-flexgo-pay-as-you-go-pcs/http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/22/microsoft-flexgo-pay-as-you-go-pcs/ IS NO WAY IN HELL they are gonna reach the poor. sorry, i had to vent. this makes me so madS microsoft is SCAMMING these poor people. ]]>May 22nd 2006 2:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/05/22/microsoft-flexgo-pay-as-you-go-pcs/http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/22/microsoft-flexgo-pay-as-you-go-pcs/May 22nd 2006 2:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/05/22/microsoft-flexgo-pay-as-you-go-pcs/http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/22/microsoft-flexgo-pay-as-you-go-pcs/May 22nd 2006 6:15PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/05/22/microsoft-flexgo-pay-as-you-go-pcs/http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/22/microsoft-flexgo-pay-as-you-go-pcs/
So they've taken on a business initiative with bleak prospects. As you all say; the customer base is minimal if not nonexistant. So why are whining about Microsoft® taking on an endeavour, which surely will not be feasible to the corporation.

Unless of course, that this is not targeted towards the dirt poor – which for the main part are illiterate, and not just computer illiterate – but towards the lower middle class or struggling humanitarian organisations.

Try and remember, that if you're not able to buy clothes, decent food and housing. You will find that a brand new custom Dell XPS system is not #1 on your wish list.]]>May 23rd 2006 3:32AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/05/22/microsoft-flexgo-pay-as-you-go-pcs/http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/22/microsoft-flexgo-pay-as-you-go-pcs/
1. Turn off your computer
2. Go find a big box
3. Insert computer in big box
4. Ship computer off to
5. Relish the feeling, that you are no free of the clutches of Bill Gates]]>May 23rd 2006 3:39AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/05/22/microsoft-flexgo-pay-as-you-go-pcs/http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/22/microsoft-flexgo-pay-as-you-go-pcs/
Microsoft views itself in this instance as providing low-cost pc's to people who wouldn't otherwise be able to afford it. They think that they are creating a super-low-end option for poorer users. The motivation behind it is great.

That said, the pricing on this one shows just how out of touch Microsoft is, not only with the developing world but also with computer sales in general. $600 is not only a lot for a low-end PC in a developing country, it is also waaay more than many low-end PC's in the developed world! Check out the current low-end Dells:

$272 for a low-end Dell desktop: http://www.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/featured_basdt?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

$499 for a low-end Dell notebook:
http://www.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/featured_basnb?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

This versus Microsoft's proposed $600 cost for the system, plus rental fees while you are paying off the portion of the cost that you financed?? Even if this is for a laptop (which this doesn't say), that is more than they would pay for a budget laptop from Dell. I suppose it might be the case that they can pay $300 up front but can't afford $500 up front - but since this is basically just a financing scheme, anybody who can participate in this could probably take out a loan for a $500 laptop.

And if they're charging $600 for a desktop, well, that is just insane considering what budget desktop prices are.

All in all, I think that the Negroponte model will be more successful. It will cost $100 and while it will be extremely stripped down (no hd, just 500MB of flash memory; 500mhz processor; linux, which we all know as techies is cool but will limit their ability to run "mainstream" programs), it will be good enough for basic web browsing (if they can find a connection), photo viewing and text editing. That makes it a perfect entryway PC in the literal sense of the world - it will introduce people to the Internet who are probably not aware of its value. Also, the hand crank for power was an extremely good idea.

http://news.com.com/PCs+for+the+poor+Which+design+will+win/2100-1003_3-6040019.html?tag=st.ref.goo]]>May 23rd 2006 4:44AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/05/22/microsoft-flexgo-pay-as-you-go-pcs/http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/22/microsoft-flexgo-pay-as-you-go-pcs/
Yeah, but neither is a $600 rent-a-computer. Especially not when there are better options, not just Negroponte's $100 computer but internet cafes, which all in all make a lot more sense (even more sense than Negroponte's idea, actually).

I have no desire to hate on Microsoft, but I do have a fair amount of schadenfreude at seeing them pursue such a bad idea. Reminds me of the iRiver.]]>May 23rd 2006 4:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/05/22/microsoft-flexgo-pay-as-you-go-pcs/http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/22/microsoft-flexgo-pay-as-you-go-pcs/May 23rd 2006 5:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/05/22/microsoft-flexgo-pay-as-you-go-pcs/http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/22/microsoft-flexgo-pay-as-you-go-pcs/May 23rd 2006 8:24AM