It’s time to buy and donate an XO laptop

As I wrote a couple of weeks ago, the “One Laptop Per Child” program has a short-time offer: Donate one of their XO laptops to a needy child, and get one for yourself, for $399.

Normally the devices are intended purely for donation, but for us technical folks, there’s a definite benefit to seeing and touching one.

Also, frankly, it would be good to have an XO so that we can make sure that our Web applications support them. (In my case, however, it’s pure curiosity.)

The “Give One Get One” program runs through November 26. I don’t know if it will be repeated.

If you’re in the United States,there’s also $24.95 for shipping, for a total charge of $423.95. According to OLPC, “$200 of your donation is tax-deductible (your $399 donation minus the fair market value of the XO laptop you will be receiving).”

It’s worth it.

Please note that, other than a 30-day return policy, the XO laptop is unsupported for customers of the G1G1 program. If it breaks, it’s broken: “Neither OLPC Foundation nor One Laptop per Child, Inc. has service facilities, a help desk or maintenance personnel in the United States or Canada. Although we believe you will love your XO laptop, you should understand that it is not a commercially available product and, if you want help using it, you will have to seek it from friends, family, and bloggers.”

I’m looking forward to blogging about the XO when mine arrives.

>> Update 11/25/2007: The “Give One Get One” program has been extended to Dec. 31.