2.1 LCCDs for Education

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Initially, low-cost computing devices were considered to be laptops with rugged construction and low power consumption that were specifically designed for students in developing countries. However, several computer manufacturers now offer laptops that have similar features, although they have not been designed solely for the educational market. The main commonalities of LCCDs, regardless of the brand or specific functionality, are a relatively low price (less than USD 300 for the device), laptop form factor and small size (e.g., screen size less than 10 inches). 
 
Leading examples of LCCDs include:
 
  • XO – A laptop developed by One Laptop Per Child (OLPC), the XO is specifically designed for primary school students in developing nations, and it has a range of features appropriate to that environment. The XO's design has factored in technological issues such as local language support, as well as environmental conditions such as high heat and humidity.”13 In order to minimize malfunctions, it has no movable parts (e.g., no hard disk or fan), and it features special antennas to support mesh networking.

The  XO is backed by a large ecosystem of system designers, education experts and development specialists. The educational theories are tied into the operating system and software included with the XO. Dozens of nations are piloting or carrying out large-scale XO implementations. Some of the most significant are Uruguay, where the government has provided XO laptops to all public school primary students, and Rwanda, which, in addition to distributing XOs to schools, is also emerging as a research and training center for the XO. 

  • Classmate – A laptop developed by semiconductor manufacturer Intel as a “mobile personal learning device for primary students in emerging markets.”14 Originally introduced in 2006, the second-generation Classmate is built around an Intel processor and has a rugged, “kid-friendly” design. Features include hardware-based theft protection, Wi-Fi and a battery life of between 3.5 to 5 hours.15 The Classmate runs Windows XP or Linux and is available in clamshell or convertible designs. Intel has licensed the technology to various manufacturers.

One of the largest deployments of Classmate is in Portugal, which has contracted around half a million of these laptops.16 The Classmate is used for the country’s Magalhães initiative (“Magellan” in English, named after the Portuguese navigator).17 Local company JP Sá Couto manufactures the computers. Portugal is leveraging the program to spread Magellan Classmates to developing countries. In September 2008, it signed a deal with the Venezuelan government to supply one million Portuguese-manufactured Classmates.18 The country’s incumbent telecommunications operator, Portugal Telecom, has targeted the Magellan for overseas social responsibility programs, with plans to distribute the laptop in Lusophone Africa19 and Namibia.20

 
  • Netbooks -- Encouraged by the LCCD movement for students, computer makers have been downsizing laptops to also tap into the market (e.g., netbooks). A noteworthy one in terms of price and entry into the educational market is the Asus Eee.21 Asustek, a Taiwanese computer manufacturer, has developed rugged portable computers for use in space, off-car road races, Mount Everest and the North and South Poles.22 It introduced the Eee PC notebook in October 2007. The Eee, like the XO and Classmate, is a portable laptop that uses flash drive storage, and the entry-level models are price-competitive. But the Eee was not strictly designed for the educational environment as were some other devices. As with other commercial computers, it comes in a much wider range of configurations and models than the Classmate or XO.

One of the largest Eee educational deployments is in Russia, where it is being used in schools following an order for approximately USD 200 million from the Free Deed Foundation, a philanthropy organization. The purchase of some 1 million Eee PC 700 models is to be delivered over the next five years.23 The Eee has also been deployed in various school projects in the United States.24 It also emerged as the preferred LCCD in testing done at three African universities (it should be noted, however, that some LCCDs such as the OLPC XO or Intel Classmate are not designed for university students).25  

  •  Mobilis -- Another LCCD that may become the focus of greater attention is the Mobilis, manufactured by the Indian company Encore.26 The Mobilis was recently selected in a tender for school laptops in Brazil.27 Yet another is the Israeli-designed ITP-C, which is being used in school projects in Argentina and Chile.28

Figure 2-1: Low-Cost Computing Devices Used in Schools

 

Note: The list of countries where the devices are used in schools excludes developed nations.

 

 

15 The theft protection links the Classmate to a school server. If the Classmate loses connection to the server for a certain period of time, it is rendered unusable and can only be reactivated if returned to the school. See: http://blogs.intel.com/technology/2009/08/classmate_pc_as_a_one-to-one_l.php
21 For a comparison of different commercially available low-cost laptops see: http://blog.laptopmag.com/low-cost-laptop-cheat-sheet

 

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