Special Windows/Office for OLPC Next Year

If there is an immediate downside of the OLPC, it’s the fact that it runs Linux and not the most popular desktop operating system on the planet. That will change in the near-future though, as Microsoft is actively working on a special version of Windows XP and Office that all runs off of a simple 2GB SD memory card. OLPC has no problem with this idea, and has added SD slots for the very purpose.

As you would expect, this special Windows/Office combination will not be sold/available in US or Canada. Pricing is not revealed, but it could be that it will be free to those who own an OLPC in a developing country. Microsoft doesn’t need to charge a cent. Their goal right now is to get their OS into as many hands as possible. Since giving out a free OS would plant a seed in these users, that’s all that will likely matter to them, at this point.

It won’t be offered to anyone in the US or Canada, even quasi-philanthropists participating in the Get One, Give One program. But, we’re guessing the anti-copying measures won’t be particularly hardcore, meaning it’ll probably make its way to the internets not long after launch. Bootable Windows on an SD card would be pretty nice on our side of the world too, actually.

Source: Gizmodo