Amazon to sell dual-boot OLPC laptop in November

With Microsoft having finished a version of its Windows XP operating system for the One Laptop Per Child notebook in July, the computer should be nearing its launch date, and a Thursday report seems to confirm this. Citing an OLPC official, the report alleges both Linux-based Sugar and Windows XP operating systems will be available on the low-cost XO laptop, which was designed to help educate kids in developing countries. While the laptop is estimated to launch in about a month, another story from the same source has Amazon selling the laptop in November.

OLPC was forced to enter into an agreement with Microsoft as representatives from many developing countries did not want it without a Windows software. In house at OLPC, the decision to work with Microsoft have led to some disagreements and even the resignation of high-profile officials.

Amazon will sell the dual-boot XO laptop starting in November under its Give One, Get One program, where buyers will purchase two XO notebooks, with one being donated to a school kid in a poor country, and the other coming to the buyer. Pricing is not known, but OLPC has historically aimed for a $100 price point.

Filed under: education, computers, gadgets, software
Other story tags: Microsoft, Linux, Amazon, OLPC, XO laptop