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Intel Chairman Derides $100 Laptop

By Ed Oswald, BetaNews

December 9, 2005, 11:29 AM

Intel's chairman chided plans by rival AMD and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to build a $100 laptop for the developing world. At a press conference in Sri Lanka on Friday, Craig Barrett said that potential computer users would scoff at the computer's lack of features.

Barrett also said the device isn't worthy of being called a laptop. "I think a more realistic title should be 'the $100 gadget'," he mused. "The problem is that gadgets have not been successful."

But the MIT laptop has received high marks from those who have seen it, and received the blessing of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. Children in Brazil, Thailand, Egypt and Nigeria will be the first to start receiving the device beginning early next year.

The effort has even gained attention stateside; the state of Massachusetts is considering a $54 million plan to buy the laptops for every middle and high school student.

All of the $100 laptops will come preinstalled with the Linux operating system, supplied by Red Hat. However, any OS supporting AMD processors could be run on the unit, according to engineers. Software will include a Web browser, e-mail client, and programming software.

The device would be made available to the general public at a cost of $200, but it would be sold to governments at $100, with profits from the commercial side helping to fund the project.

Barrett pointed to similar schemes that have failed in the past as the reasoning for his comments. He claims that consumers are looking for a full-featured device, "not dependent on servers in the sky to deliver content and capability to them, not dependent for hand cranks for power."

Some may view the comments of the Intel chairman as a knee-jerk reaction to not being chosen to power the laptop, but throughout the press conference, Barrett kept returning to the meme that anything Intel would offer would be through a full-featured device.

Intel computers have traditionally cost more than their AMD counterparts, and cost played a major factor in choosing hardware for the MIT laptop project.

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By bickram

edited May 10, 2006 - 6:41 AM

This is a very nice job done but i surprise why countries like Nepal are not included at the first priority. I hope acions will be taken

Score: 0

By vinodis

posted Dec 11, 2005 - 2:15 PM

More than companion Laptops, the fundamental requirement for a strong educational foundation in India - it seems right now - is some good quality educators - especially in rural areas + continue with the free lunch program at the rural schools.
School children could make use of shared PCs available at the schools better. University students seems to require more of such a Laptop with essential connectivity features.

Score: 0

By PatMc

edited Dec 12, 2005 - 1:00 PM

The problem here isn't the free PC's that are using AMD hardware. Barrett is seeing thru the BS deal that is being created by the joke that is the UN to make themselfs richer and look good.

What good does a laptop do them if there is no infrastructure in place? Have no power? You have a hand crank! Great, you can now power that laptop up to do what? Play solitare? Read the Apachy FAQ for the 50th time?

How are you going to provide content for those systems? Do you think Wi-Max or even a wired enviroment exists in Abu Gabi? How about even Beuos Aries? If there is no content on it, then its 100% useless. Who is going to support the repairs on such devices? Most of these places they are "selling" the cheap laptops too don't even have sewage systems let alone power or inet connections.

Who do you think is going to own the distrabution of these systems? The same people that own all of the food that the US sends to these places, the local Gurilla armys that keep these people in a poor situation to keep them rich with cheap labor.

Sure, this sounds like a wonderful "lets feed the whole world" situation but its not going to pan out that way and you know it.

Score: 0

By tipsyboy

posted Dec 11, 2005 - 11:21 AM

Uhg - I didn'T know that "governments" are "poor". What I can see is that governments consist of people who have everything free - drivers, flights, houses, meals, hotels - on top of their rich salaries.

This is ridiculous.

Either you give or you earn. If you do both, you're a liar and deceiver.

A man boasting himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind, but with no rain.

Score: 0

By JoeNelson

edited Dec 11, 2005 - 11:04 AM

Intel lost another one... Nice job AMD..

Score: 0

By Umapathy

edited Dec 11, 2005 - 8:16 AM

Hi I am from Sri Lanka I have no idea at all where the intel has made a press conference. Intel sells it's PIV processors more than $100 in Sri Lanka. First of all let them reduce the cost of their processors for the desktop and ofcourse the laptop.

Score: 0

By NewtonFine

edited Dec 10, 2005 - 10:25 PM

While I can definitely see the upside of the poor receiving free or even 'near-free' technology, I can see right through this ploy to provide these "affordable" laptops.

First off, the laptops will have to be fabricated in an off-shore factory for a fraction of the $100 at which it is targeted to be sold. The workers will earn approximately $1/hour. A relative wage, considering economies of scale and such. Who receives the contract to build these inexpensive laptops leads to all sorts of pluses for whoever has the power to grant these contracts (can you say kickbacks?)

So let's say that for this example, the total cost of producing the $100 notebook sums up to $60. Now, that is, of course, before adding the freight costs of delivering an order of these beauties and the administrative costs associated with processing a friendly government order.

So even still, I think a reasonable profit can still be made on a notebook featuring a 1GB HDD (can you say surplus?), Dual Scan Color Display (old tech, can you say surplus again?), with a hand crank (like they have flashlights that sport a hand crank at the 99 cents store). Think some of you are starting to get the idea...

Now, this is where it becomes interesting. What politics that get played in the role of handling orders from various "poor" governments and the bonus points all the bleeding hearts are trying to earn here gets twisted into something that strikes a similar chord as free-trade consortiums for the Americas (can you say NAFTA? ...but say it slowly in a deep voice).

Bottom line, it becomes another rosy way to leverage control and put pressure on foreign governments. All in the name of providing One Laptop Per Child. Give me a F!@#$%^& break!

The real truth is some people get rich and look like heroes while doing it. Politicians make quick friends in support of this rosy plan to make the poor poorer, and the cycle goes on...and on.

Guess "we" are looking to build our next India already. And hey, they should be able to program and all, as they would have Linux as a foundation for their learning. Not bad, if you ask me.

Newt

P.S. - Geez, just read the crappy responses on their FAQ as to why this or that. I especially found their reasoning for not recycling computers to prevaricate the real issues at play here.

P.P.S. - I can see the future is bright ...the incessant burning of these incendiary laptops instead of the American flag. Hope they aren't composed of PVC plastics to make them kid-friendly (flexible and tough), as we already have enough of a global problem with toxins in our atmosphere and our food supply.

Score: 0

By we are coming

posted Dec 10, 2005 - 7:07 AM

Dear Madam/sir

Kindly note that egypt is going down because of this project why ???? if the laptops are powered by american or any other operating system then the childerern will be programmed to use this system only and here comes the problem i will not proceed since i am in raid
In the mean time

Score: 0

By aredo

posted Dec 10, 2005 - 5:34 AM

The whole socialistic/communistic propaganda "for the poor" so they claim, the infamous UN Council and its association satellites only create more and more damage to society and use and abuse poor countries to get richer and richer. People are so blind to trust this scam. These associations should be banned worldwide. The false communistic propaganda to help the poors only resulted in creating a worse scenario during the last 30 years because these associations don't help people, they help themselves and there are too many thieves and liars floating around them. Maybe 1% of the people in these kind of socialistic/communistic associations are actually really trying to help others, the majority of them only thinks about new "smart ways" of stealing money and ripping people off.
What's bad is the fact that these scam have become the standard in civilized countries thanks to the Left-Wing driven media,magazine, Tv networks and the press.

Intel is right at attacking these false claims, they show that they don't want to get involved in this scam and I hope they won't change their minds and jump on the liars and thieves bandwagon.

Score: 0

By ogman

posted Dec 10, 2005 - 5:45 AM

Thank you, Senator McCarthy, for protecting us from the Red Scare!

Score: 0

By elyl

posted Dec 10, 2005 - 1:20 PM

Ha ha! Classic, ogman!

Score: 0

By PC Rat

edited Dec 10, 2005 - 5:46 AM

"The whole socialistic/communistic propaganda for the poor' so they claim, the infamous UN Council and its association satellites only create more and more damage to society"

THAT's ~exactly~ it !

The actual problem isn't absence of $100 computers. It's socialist economies keeping people in poverty.

A little more Protestant Work Ethic, and a little less Marxist theory, and they'd be able to afford real computers !

The U.N. and the world socialist apparatus needs the poor -and keeps people poor for that reason.

The Computer Rodent

Score: 0

By st0mp

posted Dec 10, 2005 - 2:51 AM

you know if i was paying 600$+ for a device then i would be looking at features.
if i can get it for 100$ then i expect some feature loss and performance loss. and i total understand about going with a Linux OS. i know ms would not work on a cheap version M$ would miss out on more $$. AND i picture with Linux it will push software developers to have more things for Linux. and more people will start using it

Score: 0

By fewt

posted Dec 10, 2005 - 6:29 AM

If they are going to manufacture as many as they claim in their FAQ then hopefully with that comes more COTS for Linux. The 100 Million "laptops" though are being produced for people with no money so that argument went out the window as I typed it. hah

Score: 0

By cory1492

edited Dec 10, 2005 - 12:04 AM

Well, if he agrees to loan 3rd world countries citzen's $1000+ a piece to become consumers of higher end products then I'd agree with him.

Until then the people this project was intended to help will only benefit from subsidized things, which in effect makes them -GASP- NOT consumers of ANY hi-tech gadgets (no matter the price, pretty much any man-made device including the highest end supercomputer could be refered to as a gadget)

- I mean, end all and be all the MIT project was not meant to be a successful profit mongering thing, it is meant to help those who can't afford the luxury of a high end PC in every room - kids rooms included - I think a decent, non-embedded OS based inexpensive laptop type PC would kinda kill the point of shelling out $1000+ every 3 years, just think, couldn't these types of 'terminals' come in handy in a wired home, especially at the reasonable price of $200 - I'm sure you could use 1 or 2 high end PC's to deliver the content in your own home...

Score: 0

By fewt

posted Dec 9, 2005 - 10:02 PM

I want them for my kids, beats a $1000 machine for them to spill drinks and food into (yeah yeah, like your kids follow house rules about food in bedrooms. :-P).

Score: 0

By ogman

edited Dec 9, 2005 - 9:40 PM

I'm pretty sure this guy is everything that is wrong with today's overpaid under-imaginative CEO's. What an ass!

Score: 0

By leviticus814

posted Dec 9, 2005 - 8:55 PM

Just think millions of computers going to educate people so they may one day use and afford a nice computer for themselves. And when Little mishkabar from indonesia comes to america to become a doctor, and wants a computer, what do you think he'll choose? Intel, or AMD? Think about all the governments who see their impoverished children weilding technology they would normally only dream about, and when its time to order new gov computers, what processor do you think he'll chose. Yeah i'd be scared and pissed if i we're him too.

Score: 0

By drummerboy627

posted Dec 9, 2005 - 8:31 PM

Naturally, Intel would be saying otherwise if they had gotten the deal. Honestly Intel, you need to realize that AMD kicks your @$$ in just about everything.

Score: 0

By PC Rat

edited Dec 9, 2005 - 7:00 PM

Anybody who can't afford an expensive Intel laptop computer would probably use a $100 PC to illegally download copyrighted music !

All these villagers should be renditioned to countries where they can be subjected to harsher interrogation techniques so the Recording Industry can find out how they plan stealing songs.

The Computer Rodent

Score: 0

By BroughApps

posted Dec 9, 2005 - 11:00 PM

computers such as this $100 laptop would hardly come with any extra space on it. so i dont think you have to worry bout them downloading illegally.

Score: 0

By PC Rat

posted Dec 10, 2005 - 5:36 AM

"computers such as this $100 laptop would hardly come with any extra space on it. so i dont think you have to worry bout them downloading illegally"

You never heard of 'preventative detention' ?

Having even a $100 laptop might cause them to ~think~ of illegally downloading music.

Better to detain them in a sort of Recording Industry sponsored Abu Ghraib than have 'em get uppity later.

Punish potential copyright infringers, and you're way ahead in the War Against Illegal Downloads !

The Computer Rodent

Score: 0

By ogman

posted Dec 10, 2005 - 5:47 AM

More like "The Computer Troll"

Score: 0

By PC Rat

edited Dec 12, 2005 - 12:19 AM

Oh, anybody who disagrees with ~you~ is a "troll" !

The Computer Rodent

Score: 0

By pccromeo2006

posted Dec 9, 2005 - 6:23 PM

Naturally Intel will think so, They're not going to provide the processor.

Score: 0

By bladefist

edited Dec 9, 2005 - 11:48 AM

rent the move "The First 20 Million" Same idea.

Score: 0

By horsecharles

edited Dec 9, 2005 - 3:51 PM

I echo all your sentiments-- Barrett makes himself out to be an out of touch, elitist rich snob willing to trod on others in order to make himself extra riches. He needs to read the biblical story that culminates in the passage of it's easier for a camel to walk through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven.

The laptop project is a beautiful idea for so many poor villages with little to no electricity or even running water, let alone any school.
The irony is that in uplifting & educating these brothers & sisters of ours, we will be enabling them to one day afford Mr. Barrett's pricey offerings.

Score: 0

By BIL

posted Dec 9, 2005 - 3:22 PM

Maybe the comment was because AMD is already underpricing the heavily overpriced Intel products. A $100 laptop would mean no profit for all the mucky mucks at Intel.

Score: 0

By thebigwee

posted Dec 9, 2005 - 3:21 PM

"Craig Barret said that potential computer users would scoff at the computers lack of features." lol Potential computer users more than likely wont know what features the computer is lacking. Thats part of the idea, to educate them , and turn them from potential users, to users. Then they can upgrade. Not very many of us started out with a 5000$ machine. This 100$ machine will connect them to a world of information. Thats cheaper than a set of used encyclopedias if you could find them, and accesses a gazillion times more information. For 200$, i think ill get one, i like the hand crank idea. All electronic devices are gadgets, and alot of gadgets have "Intel Inside".

Score: 0

By maniakmx3

posted Dec 9, 2005 - 2:53 PM

Intel is just jealous cuz AMD is better :P lol

Score: 0

By AntiochMedia

edited Dec 9, 2005 - 2:42 PM

I know a Gadget that costs over $300 that has done pretty well - you can even install Linux on it. It's called an iPod, and all it does is play music and now they went an added video.

Imagine a well optimized $100 laptop being distributed over the world, running a highly optimized version of RedHat(FC) Linux that had the ability to play music, video, connect to the web, and do basic word processing?

Yes, cut out games -- let's just pretend that it won't even play Solitaire. An iPod won't (well - okay, fine, yes, you can get solitaire for your iPod) -- your iPod won't play Quake.

Imagine millions of people using the $100 Linux-based laptop ... and then imagine what that would do for statistics =) -- I think this is a very visionary step and that it's a move in the right direction.

I read the FAQ on the website, and they seem focused on setting the system up with the software and hardware working extremely well together -- much like how Apple's OS/X and proprietary hardward allows less bloat and overhead... I don't think that it's fair or logical to compare this system to a commercial, multi-purpose laptop machine.

BTW - we should vote that they call this "THE CRANK!"

Edit -- I think the $100 versions should be green, and when a commercial version is available beyond the scope of humanitarian efforts (and to actually fund the $100 versions), it should be either blue or pink... with a U2 Version in black and red.

Score: 0

By ZeroEpoch

posted Dec 9, 2005 - 2:22 PM

Actually they do plan to have Wifi. For the people who commented on this feature check out the project website its looks really cool. I personally would find the book reading mode useful.

http://laptop.media.mit.edu/

Score: 0

By ogman

posted Dec 10, 2005 - 5:49 AM

Thanks for the link. :o)

Score: 0

By lokanetra

posted Dec 9, 2005 - 12:54 PM

One of the most important people in my life, often reminds me of the differences between the Eastern and Western worlds. Since she's from Asia, I respect her words and perceptions especially regarding education and family.

I think AMD and MIT have a great idea here to bring people closer together and give further opportunities for education and quality of life.

It doesn't need to be a perfect solution, it only needs to be A solution.

It's unfortunate Intel is aggressive towards the idea. Perhaps they will learn to play nicely with others in the future. :)

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

edited Dec 9, 2005 - 12:30 PM

Yeah, cuz,yua know that the kids in Thiland are *so* gonna miss their WiFi and their Firewire support.

Whatever.

Well, idiots like this @ Intel can only be good news for the folks over @ AMD.

He's just pissed because it's AMD inside, and not Intel.

Score: 0

By vik_za

edited Dec 9, 2005 - 12:15 PM

Hey Mr. Intel Chairman... perhaps your ilk may scoff at the "lack of features" on the "$100 gadget", but I can assure you that many people in the countries mentioned would prefer to have an affordable device that is functional, reliable and able to interconnect them - even for $100!

Pity you should see it as a lack of features issue and not a genuine attempt to bridge the technological / information divide in those countries.

Perhaps in a sense a lack of features is better than no features at all !!

Or could it be that AMD-bone in the throat that once again prevents any real objectivity on your part?

viktor - South Africa

Score: 0

By zee7

edited Dec 9, 2005 - 12:10 PM

It's myopic thinking like this from Intel's fearless leader that is causing AMD to continually stomp their @ss in every category. Spit out the sour grapes, Mr. Barrett, and get back on track.

Score: 0

By aredo

posted Dec 10, 2005 - 5:38 AM

Yeah, sure. If the Intel CEO doesn't want to have the Company involved in such a scam along with the leading thieves and liars then he must be a dumb guy, uh ?
For once a CEO shows that morality and integrity still exist in business and knows when to say no to a scam. I hope he won't change his mind to jump on this fraud bandwagon

Score: 0

By ogman

posted Dec 10, 2005 - 5:55 AM

Hater!

Score: 0

By heat_fan1

posted Dec 9, 2005 - 12:05 PM

No, it won't be full-featured. That's not the idea. I'm sure children in Brazil, Thailand, Egypt, and Nigeria, who maybe have never seen a computer, let alone used one, will be more than happy with these units. Not everybody in the world is looking for a computer with full wireless connections, super graphics and sound cards, a 1000 GB hard disk, and a high-definition 17" screen (an obvious exaggeration, but you get the idea). These people would get all the functionality they need in the computers we were using over 10 years ago, and that seems to be what these "laptops" are.

Score: 0

By John_Bedin

posted Dec 9, 2005 - 12:01 PM

Maybe the poor of the World don't really need WiFi or a Dvd burner

Score: 0

By aredo

posted Dec 10, 2005 - 5:41 AM

The poors don't need a PC either.
It's just pure scam. The majority of poor countries are under military dictatorships and so they don't have a lack of money to buy PCs if they wanted to. All this "poor countries need cheap PCs" propaganda it's a scam, a giant fraud driven by Left-Wing media and people that earn a lot of money out of it thanks to too many people in civilized,democratic countries being so naive if not involved in the scam themselves.

Score: 0

By ogman

posted Dec 10, 2005 - 5:56 AM

Watch out, the commies put a bug under your aluminum cap!

Score: 0

By drumcat

edited Dec 9, 2005 - 6:17 PM

The cost is relative; it's the point of contributing to the development of society.

Besides, it's not marketed towards Intel customers! If it was, we'd all own one. Those of us that can afford a better computer already have one, and don't have a lot of interest in the C-notebook. It's novel, and the crank seems cool, but it's a toy for many of us. For those that would need it, it's vital.

Score: 0

By Jedite

posted Dec 9, 2005 - 11:55 AM

Ooohh Poor guy.. I guess if its not Intel Inside its not worth buying eh?

AMD beating you up, and cant figure out a way to fight back exept with crummy comments about a product that could actually help ppl?

Poor Intel =(

Score: 0

By itanshi

posted Dec 9, 2005 - 11:46 AM

200 dollars? well, least i know its up for purchase, i wouldn't mind toying with it ^^ and i like the hand crank, my friggen wire needs replaced for my dell x_x mm spare me the anti dell stuff, i know i know

Score: 0

By Leap_Ahead

edited Dec 9, 2005 - 3:05 PM

Full blown Laptops are becommimg very cheaper. Selling a handicapped gadget for $200 and ($100 if u order in thousands) is not suprising now. Now u can get a Full multimedia, Wireless Intel Laptops under $400 in US stores. During last thanksgiving sales they went down to $350. This is the retail store and online price for a 1.6 GHz/256MB RAM/ 40GB HDD/14" TFT etc. etc. if you buy tose in thousands i bet you can get it well below this price.

After all people keep in mind that people from "poor countries" are NOT thinking slow or working slow compared to any rich countries. In fact they need much faster computers than you

I mean these are real laptops same as the one I am currently using to type this comment.

Score: 0

By plasmaleto

posted Dec 9, 2005 - 4:38 PM

When retail stores like Fry's Electronics, Best Buy or Wal-Mart do sales like that they are actually taking a loss. I used to be a salesman for Fry's and every week we'd have sales where we were actually losing money. The idea is to make money off items with high markup like accessories that you'll need with it. That $350 computer was probably bought IN MASS at $350 or my guess is probably $375.

Score: 0

By blastedontape

edited Dec 9, 2005 - 1:01 PM

cool, a nix box. doing this we will have really entered the information age. Where now a kid from thailand can tinker with a nix box all day. Truly, this world will be ran by hackers.

Score: 0

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