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Attack of the $200 Laptops!

Designed for schoolchildren in developing countries, these inexpensive, stripped-down portables are drawing lots of interest from the gadget set.

Eric Dahl and Tom Spring, PC World

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The $100 laptop may still be a myth, but the projects it inspired--rugged, networked, ultracheap, and low-power portables created to aid educational programs in developing countries--are very real. And after months in development, they're finally about to ship. Here's a rundown of the designs and their key specs.

OLPC XO

OLPC XO

  • Price: $200
  • CPU: AMD Geode LX-700 with integrated graphics
  • Display: 7.5 inches, 1200 by 900
  • Storage: 1GB flash
  • RAM: 256MB
  • Networking: 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, plus mesh networking
  • Features: Built-in camera, speakers, game-pad controls, and microphone
  • Number of green, antenna-looking things: Two
  • Availability: For a limited time, xogiving.org will sell you one for a child in a developing country and one to keep for $400

Intel Classmate PC

Intel Classmate PC

  • Price: Expected to cost $200 to manufacture
  • CPU: Intel Celeron M CPU and 915GMS chip set with integrated graphics
  • Display: 7 inches, 800 by 480
  • Storage: 2GB flash
  • RAM: 256MB
  • Networking: Ethernet and 802.11b/g Wi-Fi
  • Features: Built-in microphone and stereo speakers, optional wireless pen for note taking
  • Approximate width of screen bezel: Rather a lot
  • Availability: Sent to pilot programs in Brazil, Nigeria, and some Asian nations; won't be sold to individuals

Asus Eee PC

Asus Eee PC

  • Price: $260 to $400
  • CPU: Intel mobile CPU and graphics
  • Display: 7 inches, 800 by 480
  • Storage: 2GB to 4GB flash
  • RAM: 256MB to 512MB
  • Networking: Ethernet and 802.11b/g Wi-Fi
  • Features: Built-in Webcam, MMC/SD card reader, three USB ports
  • Percentage of name that is "e": 60 percent
  • Availability: At press time, available for preorder through sites such as allasus.com
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