You can still Get 1 Give 1 through December 31st, 2007, they extended the date. I don’t know what availability is going to be after that, but you’ll have to take your chances after that…
As of JANUARY 1, 2008 they still have the G1G1 order form on-line.
The laptop is way cool, it’s nice and tiny, feels durable and has great reception. It could be a little snappier speed-wise, but if every kid in the world had one of these things it be interesting to see where we are in another 10-20 years (even just 5 years). Heck, if every adult had one (and learned to use it) it’d be interesting to see where we’d be.
I’m so excited about all the possible options for this!
In the same message that notified me of my shipment I got my T-Mobile activation info, which I sadly cannot get to work. Others have activated theirs without problem, so I’m not sure what the problem is. I contacted OLPC and immediately got a generic reply but then a few hours later I got this reply -
Thank you for your patience with us in regards to sending out your T-Mobile HotSpot Pin Number. Please allow 3-14 days to receive this code via email.
Still semi-generic, but obviously sent by a human. I did write back to clarify that I did have a code and they’re sending me a new one *just in case they didn’t read the first message and think I didn’t get my code in the first place).
FYI, it looks like the T-Mobile code is your OLPC confirmation code (from the original order confirmation letter) and e-mail address of the order. I can’t swear, since it didn’t actually work but that’s what they said. (This was a link I found earlier and this is the one in the ‘now shipping’ e-mail).
It’s funny this morning I got my e-mail notice that it was shipping with my tracking number and everything. It’s about a week late when you consider that the e-mail should have gone out a about a week ago if it was to notify me in advance (the laptop actually showed up this past Wednesday). I’ve this has happened to a few others, so I wasn’t shocked but it was strange enough to warrant me mentioning it to you…
So they’ve got shipping info up for the One Laptop Per Child laptops! I didn’t order until November 21st, so it looks like my target is Dec 26, 2007 - Jan 15, 2008, they’re trying for sooner (the first ones may start arriving this Friday).
Since it’s really not all about me, I’ll mention it also says my “donated laptop will reach a child in Afghanistan, Cambodia, Haiti, Mongolia or Rwanda in early 2008.”
So I caved and ordered my $200 laptop, actually I had to order two . The only way to get one is to donate one, so you actually get one for yourself and a tax deductible laptop that is donated to a developing nation (total = $400). The Get 1 Give 1 (G1G1) program only lasts 5 more days (ends November 26) so order now.
As a “Give One Get One” donor, you will receive one of the first XO laptops to be distributed in North America. Laptops will be delivered on a first come, first served basis.
In addition, T-Mobile gives you one-year complimentary access to T-Mobile HotSpots (I think you can use any laptop there, not just the XO). So that’s an extra bonus too. The tax write off for part of it and a year of free hotspots (granted I wouldn’t have purchased it, but I will use it) give even more value to it. And I’ll probably spend a little more time at Starbucks and Borders now.
Here’s some more details from when I had mentioned this $100 laptop before and some reviews on the laptop and the program. I’m not sure why they’re limiting the window for when you can buy it or why it’s limited to the US and Canada. I just wish I had it for my next trip to Costa Rica….
Starting Monday, November 12 at 6:00am EST, you will be able to donate one XO laptop to a child in the developing world and also receive a laptop for the child in your life, by visiting www.laptopgiving.org or calling toll-free 1-877-70-LAPTOP.
And as a side bonus “T-Mobile is offering donors one year of complimentary access to T-Mobile HotSpot locations throughout the United States, which can be used from any Wi-Fi-capable device, including the XO laptop.”
This is probably the best review of the XO laptop (often called the “$100 Laptop”) I’ve ever seen. This is a very cool machine and should start manufacturing this fall. Unfortunately, it wasn’t designed for US sales, but once the demand gets up there I can see it (or something similar) being offered for sale. We have similar type items in the US but not as advanced and for more than double the price. Although the price is calculated at about $188 these days…
With a (tablet-like) twist screen it’s pretty need at how it folds over. And the screen has two modes: bright color and high contrast B & W for outside viewing. It had an SD slot and three USB ports, ethernet, wireless (with the mesh network), web-cam for collaboration, works as a gaming device or sideways as an eBook reader. They had to remove the built in charging crank which is a problem if you’re in a really remote area. I’m sure separate chargers raise the price)?).
The software running on the XO is just as compelling as its hardware. The Red Hat Fedora Linux-based Sugar operating system is fairly basic, and we got comfortable using it within a few minutes. The home screen displays the XO logo within a circle, and the surrounding circle fills up with running programs. At the bottom of the screen, you’ll find the Start Menu and system application icons, including Paint, Write, Chat, and RSS.- Laptop Magazine
I can see something like this really changing computing for a 1 to 1 ratio. This is all really most people want, e-mail, web, portability (3.5 pounds) and a 10 to 1 charging ratio. The high contrast for reading an e-book will (IMHO) give them something they don’t think they want (lots of text on the go). Add some bluetooth to get on-line on my phone and I’m in. And it runs Red Hat Linux for an OS. I want one of these puppies more than an iPhone.
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