Typical price: £100
What is it: Ultraportable for children in developing countries
What we think: A superbly designed tool for learning that will appeal to geeks as well as kids
What you need to know
Reviewed on: 7 January 2008
Tags: olpc, lock, computing, brightness
We like:
Powerful; simple wireless networking; bullet-proof build; open source programs
We don't like:
Sluggish graphical user interface; over-complex file handling
You might also need:
A USB key is essential to transfer files, and a mouse might help with the grumpy touchpad. Watch out for hand-crank power adaptors coming soon
CNET UK judgement:
The OLPC XO-1 isn't a substitute for your current laptop -- it's a digital lifeline for children on the margins of our connected world. The fact that it's as cool, fun and flexible as it is educational only shows how much thought has gone into its revolutionary design
OLPC XO-1 (One Laptop Per Child) History
19 Nov 2008 in Reviews
Netbooks: Credit OLPC, not just Asus
Although it hasn't taken the developing world by the storm its designers desired, the One Laptop Per Child concept inspired Asus to develop a low-cost mini laptop for the rest of us
27 Oct 2008 in Crave
Photos: 8-year-old tests XO laptops
Our friends over at sister site CNET News.com got an eight-year-old to test the Windows and Linux models of the XO-1 (One Laptop Per Child). Click through to see what she thought
12 Mar 2008 in Crave
WannabEees: Eee PC vs Elonex One vs OLPC vs EasyNote XS vs MSI Wind and more
There's a growing range of alternatives to the hugely popular Eee PC. Come and see whether any of these cheap, portable laptops stand up to the Asus original
25 Jan 2008 in Digital Living
Gear Envy: OLPC XO-1 (One Laptop Per Child)
This ultraportable is both a digital lifeline for children in developing countries and a cyber hippy's dream. Is this a revolutionary piece of kit or just a high-tech toy?
Latest user reviews
Do you own this product? What do you think of it?
Write your own review of the OLPC XO-1 (One Laptop Per Child)
Tell us what you think
Can't find the product you're looking for? Want to suggest a product for review?
Special Offers from our Sponsors
Latest Laptop Reviews
Samsung N310
One of the best-looking netbooks on the market, but its poor battery life is disappointing, given the price
MSI Wind U115 Hybrid
Has great battery life, but we're not convinced it's worth the high asking price
on Laptops
Samsung R620: The touch of red is dead
Remember the Samsung R610 laptop with the 'touch of red'? You know, that look like a small child had smeared red nail varnish over the front? It's being replaced with the red-free R620
More:
Special Feature
Listen to the CNET UK Podcast
Subscribe to our weekly show where the team chat about the latest, hottest gadgets and Web weirdness
