The promotion of 100 US dollar laptops by One Laptop Per Child association has been pressed slowly forward in China.

Las week Nicholas Negroponte, professor of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and founder of the One Laptop per Child non-profit association reappeared in Beijng with his $100 laptop sample. At the same time news revealed that the China's mainland Great Wall PC had begun cooperative talks in producing $100 laptops with Nicholas.

On Thursday the news was confirmed. Great Wall PC marketing director Huang Maoqing approved that the negotiation was on going. If the final consensus is reached, the $100 laptop will be on sale under the tag of Great Wall in China.

Huang also acknowledged that the cost of the laptop is about between 180 to 200 yuan, so it is surely to lose money in this program. However, through cooperation, they will be authorized some patent technology applied in the laptop, which they will use in other programs.

In fact attaining brand effect is the greatest motive for Great Wall PC. Huang said, "We should first implement the negotiating issues, then promotion work will be launched. There is still a long way to go for the $100 laptop before entering China." In his opinion the talking brand effect is a little bit too early.

It is revealed that the first generation $100 laptops are produced by substitution in the factory of Quanta Computer in Shanghai Songjiang. The production has already been started after a test, and the first set of products hold prospects to enter market in late July. In the middle of next year the second generation will face the consumers. The estimated retail price is about US$135.

By People's Daily Online