Microsoft has launched a software package for a Portuguese ultra-cheap laptop for school children that the government hopes will boost the country’s technological edge in education…
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer unveiled the software package called “Suite Magellan” to go with the laptops, which will include Windows XP and Office in addition to development applications, free email and instant messaging.
Portuguese Socialist Prime Minister Jose Socrates has made boosting poor education standards and technology at schools a priority of his government…
The government hopes the Magellan project, named after the 16th century Portuguese explorer, will raise computer access at schools to two students per computer by 2010, up from five now…
While the computer will be assembled in Portugal by a company called JP Sa Couto, it is based on Intel’s Classmate PC, a cheap computer that has been adopted in various formats in countries such as Brazil and Indonesia.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez signed an agreement to buy 1 million Magellan laptops for Venezuelan schools. The computers also went on public sale in Portugal last week for 285 euros ($394).
Meanwhile, Microsoft keeps running down this blather about XP being an end-of-life product. At the same time, they treat it as a useful, portable package they can distribute worldwide. Cripes!
#16 the most powerful what??? where do you get this kind of FUD, voices in your head?
I agree that this system appears to be quite overpriced. If the price came down to $200 with at least a 12 inch screen then I would say great.
I’m of two thoughts about the OS. Since the vast majority of people already use Windows, using the same interface will cause less confusion and compatibility issues between PCs and these little laptops.
On the other hand, they won’t be exposed to other ways of doing things which will only perpetuate MS’s monopoly.
Well this system come with a 30 gb drive partitioned three way: a windows XP, a linux (caixa mágica, a portuguese distro.) and a data partition (where they put all the text books and exercises, so it can be shared..), so it’s not a XP only device (dual boots).
As for price, it’s a bit steep, but i suspect it’s becaus or ruggedization. It’s for kids, you know.It’s shock proof and water resistant.
#23, Joao,
30gb is nothing today. I’m about to upgrade my kid’s computer. She has a 20 and 10 gb HDs and both are full. Luck I have an 80 gb sitting here.
She is 9 yrs old. Most of it is just but that OS and the various programs take up quite a bit of space.
#24 Yep. I know. I just bought a 160Gb WD Passport to act as CHEAP removable media…like a big disquette…it’s unbeliavable the size and price of storage these days…