One Laptop Per Child

¶ … Laptop Per Child

Why are Microsoft, Intel, and other leading for-profit companies interested in low-cost computers for the developing world?

For-profit companies such as Microsoft and Intel jumped on the bandwagon created by the interest expressed in Nicolas Negroponte's non-profit effort with the XO. Companies have become increasingly aware that consumers show a preference to those that are socially responsive citizens that give to good causes. They viewed this as an opportunity to share the spotlight and make a profit with what would appear a philanthropic deed by the two companies collaborating on an alternative to the XO that would have more features and capabilities than the XO. OLPC's original core mission was to "foster collaborative learning among school children," which could have been accomplished with their original model.

Instead of following Negropronte's initial intent where he stated, "We do not view kids as a market, but as a mission," Microsoft and Intel saw this as a market opportunity. When Bill Gates was asked about OLPC's project to begin with, he dismissed the idea, saying that cellphones were the way to go because it was an already developed technology. They had the ability to connect to the Internet with a single cell tower erected in one of the remote villages and were already proven and mass produced (Maney).

2. Do you agree with Negroponte's decision to partner with Microsoft?

No, I do not agree with Negroponte's decision to partner with Microsoft because essentially he was bullied into it and gave in. Negropronte's project was viewed as competing against Microsoft, which was not his intent at all. He just wanted to work to put computers and the Internet into the hands of children in the poorest countries. In the end, he had to bow to pressure to include a Microsoft option that increased the price of the laptop due to increased hardware capabilities needed to be added because of the competition that Microsoft had started with Intel with the Classmate because the sales of his product had been so poor. So many people have it ingrained that in order for a computer to be relevant, it must have Microsoft products when there are so many other inexpensive or free options available that can do just as much, if not more than Microsoft's can; however, they do not receive the same marketing exposure. If anything, Bill Gates showed a lack of his normal humanitarian efforts in regards to this project; instead, he made himself look bad with his efforts.

3. Assess the thinking behind the "give one, get one" promotion. Do you think this is a good marketing tactic?