The True Cost of the OLPC XO-1: Is Free Really Free?

The concept was ambitious, thrilling, and full of potential: What if every child around the globe had access to a computer? For many innovators and leaders in Silicon Valley, it seemed like the ultimate solution to numerous challenges. However, the One Laptop Per Child initiative and its XO-1 laptop, intended for distribution, turned out to be far more complex than anticipated.

In the latest episode of Version History, David Pierce teams up with Adi Robertson and tech journalist David Imel to explore the reasons behind OLPC’s shortcomings, the lessons we can glean from the XO-1’s groundbreaking design, and whether a computer giveaway of this nature could ever truly succeed.

As we reach the midpoint of the fifth season of Version History, we’ve been delving into the educational tech milestones found in schools. If you missed insights from the lead game designer of Oregon Trail or the enthusiasm of Nilay Patel for his TI-82 graphing calculator, those episodes are available for you to enjoy.

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If you’re curious about the history of OLPC, here are some resources to kickstart your exploration: