Quanta Computer to start a test production of OLPC's 2B1

Last we heard from NickNeg's OLPC, the organization had just signed a big deal to sell 1.2 million laptops to Libya. Today, we've just found out that Quanta Computer is readying to start a "test production" of those laptops, with sample units to be available starting in November. According to DigiTimes, Quanta said it expects to start making these cute green machines by early 2007 and will have shipped 10 million units by early 2008. Fanfare aside, DigiTimes also cited unnamed "sources within Taiwan's IC design sector" that there are doubts as to what countries are going to actually buy these machines, with only one country (Libya) having confirmed an order so far. Or as OLPC News put it: "Would Libya be your first round draft pick if you were thinking warm and fuzzy thoughts about helping developing world children through information and communication technologies?" Touché, OLPC News. Your response, OLPC?

[Via OLPC News]

[John Stracke @ Oct 19th 2006 8:56AM]

I know Libya is still a bogeyman in the American mind (I still remember the fear I felt when Reagan sent the Navy to rattling sabres at them); but, actually, Libya has really cleaned up their act lately. Ghadafi has stopped supporting terrorism, pledged support for fighting Al-Qaeda (in 1999), and firmly denounced the 9/11 bombers. He's prominent in the African Union, and sends humanitarian aid to many sub-Saharan nations. OLPCs for Libyan kids aren't surprising at all.

[BMan @ Oct 19th 2006 11:59AM]

So, how long before these things hit ebay? I'd pay $150-200 to have one to play around with... there's a good money maker for some of the people in low income areas.

[wayan @ Oct 19th 2006 12:54PM]

I say they hit eBay the day after the first one ships. I've even hoping for an OLPC Christmas!
http://www.olpcnews.com/sales_talk/price/buying_a_olpc_laptop.html