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Background

The One Laptop per Child (OLPC) Project aims to provide children in developing countries with cheap US$100 laptops. Foreseeing the abuse the XO laptops would have to go through, these XO laptops are designed to be rugged and energy efficient. It also includes a handy hand pump to pump power if necessary.

This got plenty of other people interested in buying one, due to its touted reliability and low price. Many offered to donate one XO laptop to a child in a developing country, thus subsidizing the cost of the XO laptop for that child in return for the option to buy one. But these pleas went unheard until now.

The offer

Facing several setbacks like a hike in its price, the OLPC Project relented and has just offered this offer out to everyone. For 2 weeks beginning Nov 12, you can buy the XO laptop for US$400 and give one away absolutely free! Be the first 25,000 people to get it by Christmas! The rest have to twiddle their thumbs till the new year. Visit the xogiving.org website for more.

Thoughts

While a neat idea, are you wondering why they aren't leaving the flood doors open? One word - exclusiveness. By restricting supply, you can

1. get publicity every time the doors are opened again.
2. maintain people's interest (those who haven't bought one or intend to buy another).
3. Increase the price. Doesn't apply here since OLPC Project is non-profit, but useful if you're running a business.
   

And don't forget to state emphasize that the offer is limited (in terms of time, place and number of products).

[Link: One Laptop per Child (OLPC) Official site @ xogiving.org]
[Source: '$100 laptop' to sell to public @ BBC News]