The price of the $100 laptop keeps climbing. Its cost now is at $188.00 and possible more in the weeks ahead:

“…Spokesman George Snell said a variety of factors were at play, including currency fluctuations and rising costs of such components as nickel and silicon. He said the project was committed to keeping the price from rising above $190.”

link: Famed `$100 Laptop’ Now $188

The increasing prices place the One Laptop Per Child machine in direct competition with some of the offerings from established manufacturers. For example, Asustek recently announced an entry level laptop for $199.00. The further advantage that companies like Asustek have is that they already have established distribution channels in place. This may make it easier for them to put the product in the consumers’ hands, even in developing nations.

Catherine Forsythe

[tags]one laptop per child, price, competition, asustek, distribution channels[/tags]