Windows for One Laptop per Child
16 May 2008
Microsoft Windows is to be made available to the world’s poorest children on One Laptop per Child (OLPC) XO laptops.
Microsoft has spent more than a year working with a variety of partners to develop customised drivers that enable Windows to run on the XO laptop. Trials of the XO running Windows are planned to begin as early as June in key emerging markets.
The availability of Windows in addition to Linux on the laptops will give customers an expanded choice of operating environments that best fit their requirements. A future version of the XO laptop is planned that can host both Windows and Linux operating systems.
“Transforming education is a fundamental goal of Microsoft Unlimited Potential, our ambitious effort to bring sustained social and economic opportunity to people who currently don’t enjoy the benefits of technology,” said Craig Mundie, chief research and strategy officer at Microsoft. “By supporting a wide variety of affordable computing solutions for education that includes OLPC’s XO laptop, we aim to make technology more relevant, accessible and affordable for students everywhere.”
“From the beginning, the goal of OLPC has been to use technology to transform education by bringing connectivity and constructionist learning to the poorest children throughout the world,” said Nicholas Negroponte, founder and chairman of OLPC. “Today’s announcement, coupled with future plans for a dual boot version of the XO laptop, enhances our ability to deliver on this vision. In addition, OLPC will work with third parties to port its user interface, called ‘Sugar,’ to Windows.”
Customers and partners worldwide have requested Windows support for the XO laptop, because it opens the door for students and educators to access the benefits of existing Windows-based educational software and tools, as well as a broad ecosystem that provides extensive relevant and local educational content.
“As I plan my region’s investment in technology, I must evaluate the best way to provide quality education and prepare my citizens for the work force,” said Andrés Gonzalez Díaz, governor of Cundinamarca, Colombia. “Windows support on the XO device means that our students and educators will now have access to more than computer-assisted learning experiences. They will also develop marketable technology skills, which can lead to jobs and opportunities for our youth of today and the work force of tomorrow.”