The other day I was having coffee with my good friend Colin and he was telling me about the One Laptop Per Child program. I had heard of this awhile ago, but really have not heard much about it since. Well the laptop is real and it’s called the XO Laptop. Originally the laptop was supposed to cost $100, but the price has been upped to $200. The laptop does seem pretty cool, it is running linux, has WiFi, 6 hour battery, and a built in video camera and microphone. What’s even better is that it is spillproof, rainproof, dustproof and even drop-proof!

Originally these laptops were only for developing countries, not the U.S., but November 12, and November 26 you can get your hands on one of these. One Laptop Per Child, the company behind the XO laptop is doing a Give One Get One promotion where you can donate $399 and you will receive a XO laptop and a child in a developing country will receive one. $200 of your $399 is tax-deductible (fair market value of the laptop). To sweeten the deal T-mobile is offering free WiFi access at all of their HotSpot locations.

This seems like a great deal, but is this laptop really for you? Well first off it runs linux so for those wanting a Windows experience you won’t be getting it. Also there is no CD or DVD drive, no hard drive, and runs a bit slow. But you have to take into consideration this laptop was not intended for mainstream U.S. distribution, it was made for developing countries. If you are looking for a small laptop at a cheap price you might want to check ASUS’s Eee PC. The cheapest model is $199, although it runs on Linux it is Windows compatible. Hopefully I can get one from ASUS to review on ThinkComputers.

If the XO laptop is not for you it is still a great opportunity to help a child and the developing world. And it is holiday time so the XO PC would be a great gift for a young child. Still not sure if I’m going to order one, I should hurry up and decide before they are gone!