" OLPC and Microsoft are cooperating to develop a" dual-operating system "for low-cost laptops ," said Nicholas Negroponte, the initiator and chairman of the non-profit project.
The idea of both sides is to create a similar system like Apple Boot Camp, ie users can choose to boot either Linux or Windows operating system, depending on their needs.
This technology differs from virtualization, which allows computers to run in parallel with two different operating systems at the same time.
" The Windows version running on cheap computers will be very fast. We believe this idea will be very, very successful, " Nicholas said.
Microsoft's acceptance of supporting OLPC could be a completely new step for this low-cost computer project, especially when Intel has just decided to shed its shirt due to dissent.
Everyone knows just how "friendly" Microsoft is to open source software, which OLPC intends to use the Linux operating system from the start to save costs and lower costs.
A double hit the target
Intel left, Microsoft shook hands with the OLPC project Picture 1Source: Nuanceworkshop " Microsoft has changed its position on the open source community in the last few years, less sloppy and this is obviously good news for users in general. I personally think the market is more The more software and hardware that compete with each other, the healthier and more developed . "
Previously, experts believed that OPLC might release two separate low-cost laptop models, a Windows XP version, a Linux version.
But with the "dual operating system" system, OLPC will not need to produce two separate models like that anymore. Users also do not have to worry about choosing between Linux on one side and Windows on the other.
Not only shaking hands with Microsoft, OLPC also plans to partner with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to combine low-cost laptops with some educational support programs in developing countries.
The initial goal of the OLPC project was to launch laptops with prices of only $ 100, but in fact, when officially launched in late 2007, the cost of the product was nearly doubled.
Therefore, the number of orders sent to OLPC is quite small, because many governments believe that at the price of 200 USD, they can afford to buy better laptops, use Intel chips instead of AMD and install Windows operating system instead of Linux.