$75 laptop on the horizon
Having helped design the XO laptop, part of the OLPC project, scientist Mary Lou Jepsen has now started a new company going by the name of Pixel Qi having only left the OLPC two weeks ago.
During her stay at OLPC, Jepsen invented the low-power screen used in the XO and now aims to offer the screen technology to manufacturers of other devices such as notebooks, mobile phones and cameras.
On the official Pixel Qi website, a statement reads:
"What computing can be, the XO laptop was just the first step.
Pixel Qi is currently pursuing the $75 laptop, while also aiming to bring sunlight readable, low-cost and low-power screens into mainstream laptops, cell phones and digital cameras.
Spinning out from OLPC enables the development of a new machine, beyond the XO, while leveraging a larger market for new technologies, beyond just OLPC: prices for next-generation hardware can be brought down by allowing multiple uses of the key technology advances. Pixel Qi will give OLPC products at cost, while also selling the sub-systems and devices at a profit for commercial use."
The cost of the OLPC XO laptop, which was originally planned to sell for $100, had spiralled upward and can today be purchased for nearly $200. If Jepsen's plans to introduce a $75 alternative prove successful, it could be a significant blow to the already struggling OLPC project.
Official Pixel Qi website: Pixelqi.com
