Pros and cons of XO/OLPC

...as gleaned from a quick skim of http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/01/17/review_xo_laptop_hands_on/

Also has some comparisons with Eee. [I wonder how the HCL mileap will stack up compared to the Eee...]

hardware:

- no ethernet, only wifi
++ outdoor b/w mode screen at 1200x900 -- WOW!
+ monitor pivots for e-book mode
+ totally silent -- no fan, disk; rubberised keys
+ runs cool; screen gets slightly warm, base stays at room temp
- takes 1:42 to boot (cf. 0:22 on the Eee)
++ screen only slightly larger but shows almost double the info than Eee

software:
+/- radical UI (but will take time to grok)
-- disdain for file system hierarchies!
-- cumbersome for experts (even a simple thing like a music playlist is not possible)
-- built-in browser is crap for even normal people (no tabs!)
(but opera can be installed, thank God)
-- one core dump per child? (playing music -- see page 6 of the review!)