By July or so, several million XO machines are expected to reach Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Nigeria, Libya, Pakistan, Thailand and the Palestinian territory.
The laptops cost around $150 each to produce by using open source software including Linux. They are powered by a wind up crank.
The XO machines are networked with each other and can access the internet via wireless connections.
The operating system which is based on Linux users a unique desktop interface which is different to Windows, Mac and other Linux desktops like Gnome and KDE.
These mini laptops use a 366-megahertz processor from Advanced Micro Devices Inc. They have no hard disk drive. and instead the XO Machines use 512 megabytes of flash memory. They include USB 2.0 ports where more storage could be attached.
The machines are being made by Quanta Computer Inc., and countries will get versions specific to their own languages. Governments or donors will buy the laptops for children to own, along with associated server equipment for their schools. The project itself has gotten at least $29 million in funding from companies including Google Inc., News Corp. and Red Hat.