A Good Computer for Every Child

Imagine the joy of watching a young child eagerly tear open the box to their brand new laptop.

It’s a family picture to be treasured forever.

Now imagine that child living in, say, Libya.

As discussed previously here on The Tech Free Press, the American nonprofit organization One Laptop Per Child hopes to put an inexpensive laptop in the hands of every child in the world.

It’s an admirable, but somewhat impossible mission. However, I applaud the effort and truly hope that eventually every person in the world has access to their own computer.

Although originally slated to cost just $100 per device, One Laptop Per Child recently announced that each device will cost approximately $175.

Hopefully the price increase will not deter some third world countries from purchasing the devices for their school-age children. Their cost is justified and necessary.

In fact, I believe that certain technology companies in the U.S. should pony up some free hardware and software so that the price of these devices can return to $100.

Instead of squabbling over who makes the best “cheap” laptop, a consortium of PC manufacturers and software companies should make a concerted effort to develop a durable and technologically capable PC that will cost $100, or less.

It can be done!

Instead of spending millions of dollars on useless advertising campaigns, companies like Intel, Dell, Apple, Microsoft, and Adobe should spend some time improving the educational prospects of children throughout the world.

Doing so will improve the lives of these children and build an even bigger customer base for these companies.

It’s a win-win proposition for everyone.