OLPC’s (One Laptop Per Child) first 10 prototype machines (dubbed XO-1) will be handed out for testing by kids this February, according to AP. To keep power demand and costs low, the XO features a lesser Linux, a 366-megahertz processor from Advanced Micro Devices Inc., and lacks a hard disk drive. It contains 366 MB of flash memory, a built-in camera, and USB 2.0 ports for more storage.

Nicholas Negroponte, who created the laptop at MIT two years ago, wants to give kids an alternative to being trained to use Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as many of them are now. “I consider that criminal, because children should be making things, communicating, exploring, sharing, not running office automation tools,” said Negroponte.

The OX-1s, which Gear Live reported as having been analyzed by Bill Gates last March, should be available to children internationally for €112 (US $150) sometime in mid-2007.