3 ms·

$200 in (say) 1985 ~= $400 in 2011. You can get a computer you can program for $400, and it will be a lot more capable than a Commodore 64.

• protomyth 15y ago
  That nice an all, but I'm pretty sure a lot of kids could afford the $200 and not the $400. Technology is supposed to be cheaper and not a doubling.
  • gjm11 15y ago
    Perhaps I wasn't clear enough? Inflation means that $200 in 1985 is, for most practical purposes, the equivalent of $400 now. Prices now are about double what they were then. Salaries now are about double what they were then. The number of children who could afford $200 then is probably comparable to the number who can afford $400 now.
    • protomyth 15y ago
      I get what your saying, but $400 is still a lot of money today for a lot of people including those not in the US. Other consumer electronic devices have dropped in price, but the entry point for a new computer has stratified into price tiers with the sub $200 being ignored. Even the C64 or Atari 400 were not in the price range of many people. Spreading the entry point for children / teens to become programmers has taken a hit. Given the down votes, it makes me wonder if people were really concerned with OLPC's goals or just wanted a cute laptop for themselves. We seriously need to fill the low niches so smart, poor children have an opportunity to get into programming and explore like some of us more privileged people did.