Word war rages between OLPC and Intel

A war of words has erupted between One Laptop per Child (OLPC) Nicholas Negroponte and Intel chairman Craig Barrett. According to the BBC, Professor Negroponte said that the chip-maker “should be ashamed of itself” for working to undermine the OLPC’s US$ 100 laptop initiative.

Negroponte also said that Intel has “distributed marketing literature” to governments with titles like “the shortcomings of the One Laptop per Child approach.” These reportedly outline the supposedly stronger points of the Classmate, Intel’s new US$ 200 laptop.

Intel boss Barrett has dismissed these allegations as “crazy.” “We’re not trying to drive him out of business,” he said. “We’re trying to bring capability to young people.” Barrett also noted that there are “lots of opportunities” for both camps to work together.

A war of words has erupted between One Laptop per Child (OLPC) Nicholas Negroponte and Intel chairman Craig Barrett. According to the BBC, Professor Negroponte said that the chip-maker “should be ashamed of itself” for working to undermine the OLPC’s US$ 100 laptop initiative.

Negroponte also said that Intel has “distributed marketing literature” to governments with titles like “the shortcomings of the One Laptop per Child approach.” These reportedly outline the supposedly stronger points of the Classmate, Intel’s new US$ 200 laptop.

Intel boss Barrett has dismissed these allegations as “crazy.” “We’re not trying to drive him out of business,” he said. “We’re trying to bring capability to young people.” Barrett also noted that there are “lots of opportunities” for both camps to work together.