XO Laptop Price: $200* *Can Only Donate Currently

Remember a couple of years ago when some scoffed at the fabled $100 laptop? It's now a reality, albeit with a price tag almost double what was originally proposed.

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The XO Laptop, is part of a program called One Laptop Per Child. This program started years ago with a vision to outfit children around the world with a rugged, economical learning machine.

The laptop, which is waterproof, dustproof and drop proof, runs on a free Linux operating system, has 256 megabytes of RAM, 1 gigabyte of Flash memory and has what looks like ears but are really two very powerful antennae. These perform a very practical function to connect the laptop to wifi as well as other XO Laptops at distances many times farther than what we see out of today's much more expensive laptops.

It's called a learning machine and not a computer for a reason. All the programs for this are geared toward learning something -- from word processing to music composition; even free downloadable programs like one that shows you the current phase of the moon along with when to expect the next eclipse or full moon!

We talked about the device's antenna being practical for connecting to wifi from far away. Now imagine you're using this in a developing nation. If you are in a classroom or near anyone with this laptop, it instantly connects you to everyone else forming a mesh network. This means you can share documents, games, even video and pictures to your friends with or without an Internet connection present.

There's also a simplified Firefox browser built in with bookmarks for educational site. Some direct you to free e-books or to learn more about biology for instance. And when one of these is connected to the Internet it can share the web with all of the others.

Unlike other products tested, it isn't fair to rate this like the others. That's because from a traditional technology standpoint it's nowhere near as fast as today's traditional laptops and its operating system is geared specifically for children.

From an educational standpoint, however, it's truly an exciting device. For any child, the information that can be obtained, the fun programs you can download and the fact that everything is free can't be beat. Also, for areas around the world that lack adequate power sources there is a cheap solar panel that can power this device as well as a crank. Crank for a minute and you get 12 minutes of computer time. In addition, the screen is specially designed to be viewed clearly in bright sunlight where many developing countries educate children outdoors.

Right now these cost $200, but getting your hands on one will be tricky. Last fall, OLPC offered a get one give one program but right now you can just give one. Send a $200 donation via xogiving.org and one laptop will be sent to a child in a developing country.