ARM Powered OLPC XO-1.75 Laptop Is Faster Than X86

Charbax writes "Not only is power consumption halved to less than two Watts and price of the motherboard reduced, the performance of the next generation OLPC Laptop is actually better for running full Fedora Linux compared to x86. Here's a video interviewing OLPC's CTO, Edward J. McNierney, where he explains how and why OLPC's world class engineers are making this change of CPU architecture. If OLPC XO-1 threatened Intel enough to start the netbook market and has reached two million poor kids in third-world countries thus far, XO-1.75 may help start the ARM-powered Linux laptop market. Do you think Fedora/Sugar will do, or should OLPC attract Chrome OS and Android solutions for education to get faster help from the big boys of Silicon Valley in bringing Linux software successfully to the next billion PC/laptop users?"

Re:Android for the masses

[takowl]

... a full blown Linux distribution that does not require children to learn a new UI...

You know, I think any computer UI is likely to be a new one for many of the children they're targetting. They've got a rare chance to design an interface for people who don't already have expectations of how to use a computer. I know I'd take that opportunity to see if I could work out a better model.

Re:I think you may be over stating things...

[Charbax]

OLPC was founded in 2005 with the "$100 Laptop" idea which Bill Gates, Intel, everyone imediately poo-pooed. Intel's Asus Eee PC Atom platform was a direct reaction to OLPC's hype, Eee was promoted as $199 Laptop miod 2007 but introduced by the end of 2007 as a $399 netbook.

Don't bother with Android

[rickb928]

It doesn't solve a problem that XO has. Linux fits very well.

Windows on ARM doesn't solve any problem XO has either, and potentially causes some, like licensing and lock-in. between you and me, if we're gonna start kids off with computers in the Third World, Linux makes WAY more sense than Windows. Even more than Android. Crome is not ready, and the cloud may not be Third-World-Friendly for a long time. try not to rely on resources that are either not available, cost more than food, or can be taken away by other nations, or even their own.

If ever there was a project that leverages the maximum potential for freedom via the Internet, this is it. Really, give the kids someething they can work with and watch out. Somethings wonderful will happen.

Re:Um, faster than...an 8 year old x86

[Hognoxious]

Yes. Because the measure of a computer is how much power it consumes.

Do you know what the word "per" means?

It's perfectly valid to measure efficiency in the form "stuff you get out per stuff you put in". Miles per gallon, for example.