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Solar-powered computer for $35 or less

by Sean McLachlan (RSS feed) on Jul 28th 2010 at 9:30AM

Developers in India have announced an iPad clone that costs only $35. Capable of basic web surfing, video conferencing, and word processing and using a Linux operating system, the cut-rate computer is targeted at India's student population.

India has been undergoing an information technology boom for more than a decade now, and the most popular degree for students is in computer science.

Since the computer is still a prototype, it's not clear what the cost will be when it finally goes on the market. The target is $35, but that may go as low as $10 with a few tweaks and the help of mass production.

The Indian Institute of Technology and the Indian Institute of Science, who developed the device, announced that international investors are interested in producing it for commercial distribution.

This could make the perfect travel computer--cheap enough that it doesn't matter if it gets broken or stolen, and no need for a power converter and voltage regulator. Could this be the essential travel tool of the future? Tell us what you think in the comments section.

Photo of an iPad is courtesy Glenn Fleishman via Wikimedia Commons.

Filed under: Asia, India, News

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Scott Carmichael Jul 28th 2010 11:24AM

I'll believe it when I see it on sale for $35. India has a history of announcing PC's they can't actually make:

http://www.olpcnews.com/countries/india/india_10_laptop_is_vaporware.html

This one is no different - the price is not in line with the specifications and people have already pointed out that the memory alone will cost more than the suggested price. Still, I wish them luck in making this actually happen.

Lisa Malloju Jul 28th 2010 12:12PM

Great news for us.
Thanks buddy.
http://www.facebook.com/LisaMalloju

Cornelius Aesop Jul 29th 2010 10:28AM

I would love something like this, especially if it has basic e-reader capabilities. I would be willing to pay a lot more just on the sole fact that it is solar powered.

computer repair Jul 30th 2010 5:37AM

I would say that we should not compare $ 35 computer tablet to IPAD or any other device. The purpose of creating that tablet is to provide some kind of access of the technology for those unprivileged student who cannot afford regular laptop and thats where the tablet gives you the basic application that is needed for educational purpose as well entertainment. IPAD is unique on his on way so as $ 35 INDIAN made tablet.

Crissy Aug 2nd 2010 1:11PM

I'm skeptical that it can truly be powered by solar power. I had a solar charger for my iphone for a couple months, I was never actually able to get any power into the charger from the sun to power the iphone, I can't imagine this would be much more successful.

But the idea of a $35 tablet on the market makes me happy, it means prices will drop overall.

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