OLPC goes after deep-pocketed donors

It looks like those feeling especially generous now have another option at their disposal to help spread the OLPC XO to as many places as possible, with the OLPC Foundation now offering a number of options for those willing to donate 100+, 1,000+, or 10,000+ laptops. Under the so-called "Give Many" program, 100 or more laptops will cost you $299 apiece, and you can designate where you'd like the laptops sent. OLPC will also use $99 from each $299 donated to send an additional 50 XOs to children in the country of its choice. If you're willing to go up to 1,000 or more laptops, they'll cost you $249 each (with the Foundation kicking in an extra 250+ laptops), while 10,000 or more laptops will run you just $200 apiece. If that's the opportunity you've been waiting for, you can hit up the link below to get things started.

[Via OLPC News]

[Ladderless @ Oct 23rd 2007 11:15AM]

I'm going to start a new program... OLFM - One laptop for ME. I just need a $5,000 donation. I'll even buy a few cheapos for the needy.

Remember the cause... Cause I need a new laptop!

[nikola @ Oct 23rd 2007 3:06PM]

SCAM! SCAM! SCAM!

For the price they are charging those poor countries you could wait till Christmas and buy higher-quality laptops cheaper...in bulk it would probably be SUBSTANTIALLY cheaper.

[Chirag @ Oct 23rd 2007 11:19AM]

I think OLPC needs to give an option to People to buy Laptop at its cost+10%. That those who can afford these laptops but may not want to shell out price of two, can buy those laptops - which will help OLPC raise bit of cash as well as reach economy of scale.

[macona @ Oct 23rd 2007 11:23AM]

Nice, send them what supposed to be a $100 laptop for only $200 in shipping. But you get a quantity discount!

[Gabe @ Oct 23rd 2007 11:25AM]

Hey Engadget, could you please tell your users why you removed a post of yours from earlier today about the hardline between the US and China?

I thought my commentary on it was necessary and that you should have given other people the opportunity to see it instead of hiding it from your faithful users. If you will not enter dialogue regarding this or repost the article I will be forced to send the screen grab I took of it to a couple of other Technology News Outlets.

I insist that you explain why you though it was funny that 63 million Americans would be ordering Chinese Food using this hardline to China, is that what you really think of the Chinese people? Are you a bunch of racist cowards?

[Gabe @ Oct 23rd 2007 11:32AM]

Please open this forum back up to us user here so we can continue to comment.

http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/23/china-and-the-us-are-getting-hitched

[Ladderless @ Oct 23rd 2007 11:30AM]

It could be that the higher-ups saw the post for what it was, and decided to pull it.

Rather than be upset at the poor taste of a post, why not rejoyce in the fact that they came to their senses and pulled it?

[Ronald McD @ Oct 23rd 2007 2:06PM]

Gabe, thank you for fighting the good fight. I hate it when people try to excuse racism by suggesting a sense of humour is lacking. These "jokes" are in very poor taste and are entirely inesensitive. It may seem minor and insignificant to some, but it's these sort of things that perpetuate the stereotypes and bigoted mentality that minorities have to deal with in their day to day life.

[iRobot @ Oct 23rd 2007 5:57PM]

@Gabe

Dude!! The only person coming off like a racist is YOU. What the hell does Chinese people and Chinese food got to do with Laptops for kids? Really inappropriate and uncalled for. I'm glad they pulled your comments off, because you sound insane! Worst yet, you come back on line and try to explain yourself as if -- the rest of us are going to be on your side.

Why don't you finish up your funny little hate feast, dress in black "Sambo" paint and sing us a rendition of "I think I'm turing Japanese". That will really bring the house down.

[Ronald McD @ Oct 24th 2007 3:29AM]

iRobot, I believe you are mistaken. Gabe was quoting the original article, which was later edited after he called attention to it.

[geezer @ Oct 23rd 2007 11:33AM]

How about an option to donate those OLPCs to poor children in the so called "first world"? There are many poor children in the US, Europa, etc. that would also be happy to getelectronic gear to enjoy some education!

[cmonkey @ Oct 23rd 2007 12:43PM]

Did you even read the summary? That's what "Give Many" is. People were clamoring about how this should be available to children in the US too. Now the people at OLPC are giving them a chance to put their money where their mouth is. Apparently at least a dozen US Governors were interested in OLPCs for students in their states, so there is a good chance it'll happen.

[JackOLantern @ Oct 23rd 2007 11:43AM]

who is teaching kids how to use these laptops once they get to third world countries? and what about tech support and repair?

Its great to hand out thousands of laptops but I havent heard much about the back end of this plan.

[Trevor @ Oct 23rd 2007 1:22PM]

They should be set, most of out tech support is already over seas.

[jeremy roe @ Oct 23rd 2007 11:52AM]

i use to support this, but why are they running a profit at all? are they charging these prices to poor countries as well?

[cmonkey @ Oct 23rd 2007 12:47PM]

It's a non-profit...

They're charging what it costs to manufacture the things. At last count, that was $188, plus the cost to ship it to its destination.

If you even bothered to read the summary you would see that Give Many isn't about profit, it's about charging more to people who can afford it to provide free XOs for those who can't afford it.

[Ronald McD @ Oct 23rd 2007 2:14PM]

cmonkey, that is probably one of OLPC's greatest flaws: they're not running it like a business. Weren't these things supposed to be $100 a piece? Now the price has increased drastically, and they're relying on subsidies and the kindness of strangers? WHAT!? This thing is an absolute disaster, but at least their intentions were good.

Meanwhile, real businesses have jumped all over the opportunity to provide budget computer solutions, and they have been very successful.

[laura @ Oct 23rd 2007 3:41PM]

Wouldn't it just be better to help the third world countries with food and energy resources? I mean, computers = great, but they don't = food or shelter.

[CapnVan @ Oct 23rd 2007 6:15PM]

While there is a need for basic aid in lesser developed countries, the point of OLPC has nothing to do with "saving the world" today. Donors can give food, etc. to people everyday for the rest of the century. That's not going to help these countries develop (in point of fact, food aid has been faulted for destroying large parts of the African agricultural sector - locals don't buy local food when they can get imported food for free. The same is true for donated clothing - while it might help in the short term, many local textile industries in Africa have been wiped out).

The idea behind OLPC (and we can debate the ideology) is to improve the educational sector in these lesser developed countries. By introducing technology-based education, in 10 or 20 years there may be a home-grown skilled workforce able to compete in the global marketplace. *That* will bring real development. At least, that's the theory, along the lines of "give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day; teach a man to fish and he'll eat for a lifetime."

It's a concept for long-term development. You won't see many tangible benefits for years. But if it works, it could conceivably allow lesser developed countries to make significant development leaps.