The One Laptop Per Child organization has come in for further criticism after struggling to deliver its low cost laptops to buyers in America. The scheme had originally targeted children in developing countries, though recently took the chance to expand its audience and sold some of the $188 machines to American school children.
A OLPC spokesperson attributed the problems to the unexpected success of their Give One Get One promotion. The offer allowed people to purchase and pay for two computers, one of which they would receive and the other would be sent to a deserving child. It is estimated that 84,000 people participated in the offer, resulting in a shortage of laptops and long waiting times as the purchased machines had to be built. Despite a delivery date of January 15th, roughly 20% of the orders made under the Give One Get One offer are yet to be delivered.
The foundation’s inability to deliver laptops to America on time has fuelled scepticism as to whether the laptops will be delivered to more remote destinations on time.
One Laptop Per Child Fails to Meet Delivery Dates
Thu, 07 Feb 2008
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