Comments on: The (Small, Slow and Sufficient) $99 “Africa” Laptop http://whiteafrican.com/2009/12/16/the-small-slow-and-sufficient-99-africa-laptop/ Where Africa and Technology Collide! Thu, 24 May 2012 10:37:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Mika http://whiteafrican.com/2009/12/16/the-small-slow-and-sufficient-99-africa-laptop/comment-page-1/#comment-204633 Mika Tue, 18 May 2010 12:05:26 +0000 http://whiteafrican.com/?p=3075#comment-204633 I take back my earlier doubts on the CherryPal store (there were some rumours on hoax/scam going on). I also received a fully functioning CherryPal Africa last week and am happily testing it now. I take back my earlier doubts on the CherryPal store (there were some rumours on hoax/scam going on). I also received a fully functioning CherryPal Africa last week and am happily testing it now.

]]> By: tm http://whiteafrican.com/2009/12/16/the-small-slow-and-sufficient-99-africa-laptop/comment-page-1/#comment-203340 tm Fri, 14 May 2010 23:17:58 +0000 http://whiteafrican.com/?p=3075#comment-203340 Cherrypal releases the 'Asia' laptops http://bit.ly/cTLp7D Cherrypal releases the ‘Asia’ laptops http://bit.ly/cTLp7D

]]> By: Peter Msangi http://whiteafrican.com/2009/12/16/the-small-slow-and-sufficient-99-africa-laptop/comment-page-1/#comment-198655 Peter Msangi Wed, 28 Apr 2010 19:48:47 +0000 http://whiteafrican.com/?p=3075#comment-198655 Dear Guys I think max efforts are a brilliant idea, lets be honest. The only best solution for us to break the digital divide is to increase the usage of computers. From Dar es Salaam to Abuja. I think Cherry Pal is calling out for passionate investors in its efforts to increase its business in Africa. Most governments have removed VAT and import duty on assembled laptops. I think its upto us, the cherrylovers to push this to as many civil groups as possible i.e. students,governments,army, etc... Peter from Dar es Salaam Dear Guys
I think max efforts are a brilliant idea, lets be honest. The only best solution for us to break the digital divide is to increase the usage of computers. From Dar es Salaam to Abuja. I think Cherry Pal is calling out for passionate investors in its efforts to increase its business in Africa. Most governments have removed VAT and import duty on assembled laptops. I think its upto us, the cherrylovers to push this to as many civil groups as possible i.e. students,governments,army, etc…

Peter from Dar es Salaam

]]> By: Raphael Oko http://whiteafrican.com/2009/12/16/the-small-slow-and-sufficient-99-africa-laptop/comment-page-1/#comment-194322 Raphael Oko Mon, 05 Apr 2010 05:00:13 +0000 http://whiteafrican.com/?p=3075#comment-194322 Dear Colleagues, I have received the 10 laptops that we ordered for in Abuja, Nigeria and I am trying to give them out to teachers to try and get their comments. My idea for ordering the laptops was to launch "One Laptop per Teacher in Africa" campaign and I hope the laptops will be useful. The ordering system has been made easier for Nigeria as I may be able to pay and pick now but there were some charges by customs at the port. I hope this helps others that may be interested. Raphael Dear Colleagues,
I have received the 10 laptops that we ordered for in Abuja, Nigeria and I am trying to give them out to teachers to try and get their comments. My idea for ordering the laptops was to launch “One Laptop per Teacher in Africa” campaign and I hope the laptops will be useful. The ordering system has been made easier for Nigeria as I may be able to pay and pick now but there were some charges by customs at the port. I hope this helps others that may be interested.

Raphael

]]> By: Imanizwarg http://whiteafrican.com/2009/12/16/the-small-slow-and-sufficient-99-africa-laptop/comment-page-1/#comment-192804 Imanizwarg Sat, 27 Mar 2010 19:14:08 +0000 http://whiteafrican.com/?p=3075#comment-192804 It survived , hinges are loose its a bit dusty and scratched but still working , question guys, as this thing is branded what is there to stop our customers going to the manufacturer directly and buying the unit for less? Currently it makes no business sense to import these things & try to sell them for $99, I agree with wayan above retail has to be about $300 , which then brings you as a retailer frighteningly close to what people can get for $300 which is prob more powerful than the africa. such as these : http://www.simmtronicssemi.com/simmbook.php Or maybe one just has to think like a ruthless business woman and if people buy them @$300 , keep supplying them.... $99 Laptop must have been a marketing ploy on cherrypal's part It survived , hinges are loose its a bit dusty and scratched but still working , question guys, as this thing is branded what is there to stop our customers going to the manufacturer directly and buying the unit for less? Currently it makes no business sense to import these things & try to sell them for $99,

I agree with wayan above retail has to be about $300 , which then brings you as a retailer frighteningly close to what people can get for $300 which is prob more powerful than the africa.

such as these :

http://www.simmtronicssemi.com/simmbook.php

Or maybe one just has to think like a ruthless business woman and if people buy them @$300 , keep supplying them….

$99 Laptop must have been a marketing ploy on cherrypal’s part

]]> By: Imanizwarg http://whiteafrican.com/2009/12/16/the-small-slow-and-sufficient-99-africa-laptop/comment-page-1/#comment-192728 Imanizwarg Sat, 27 Mar 2010 09:34:01 +0000 http://whiteafrican.com/?p=3075#comment-192728 Wireless issue solved we reinstalled the os , i have given one to a carefree young person for them to test drive , show their friends and most likely it will face collisions , dust , etc see how it fares when it gets back. So system wise its small , slow & sufficient , durability will report back Wireless issue solved we reinstalled the os , i have given one to a carefree young person for them to test drive , show their friends and most likely it will face collisions , dust , etc see how it fares when it gets back. So system wise its small , slow & sufficient , durability will report back

]]> By: Imanizwarg http://whiteafrican.com/2009/12/16/the-small-slow-and-sufficient-99-africa-laptop/comment-page-1/#comment-192648 Imanizwarg Fri, 26 Mar 2010 22:13:27 +0000 http://whiteafrican.com/?p=3075#comment-192648 I believe they will fly if we can overcome this wireless issue, but not @ $99 thats impossible in Africa I believe they will fly if we can overcome this wireless issue, but not @ $99 thats impossible in Africa

]]> By: Raphael Oko http://whiteafrican.com/2009/12/16/the-small-slow-and-sufficient-99-africa-laptop/comment-page-1/#comment-192629 Raphael Oko Fri, 26 Mar 2010 19:17:25 +0000 http://whiteafrican.com/?p=3075#comment-192629 Hello, As I mentioned before, I ordered for 10 laptops to be delivered to me in Abuja, Nigeria and I was provided a tracking number by Max. There were some initial delays and I was informed that some custom paperwork was required. The consignment was initially delayed for some days in China but as I write, we have been informed by the UPS that the computers are in Lagos now, but it seems that Customs may charge some fees. Hopefully, I should get the machines in Abuja by next week. I have a large number of teachers who are very interested in the machines and it is my intention after this 10 to order for as many as 100 - 200. We want to launch a "One Laptop per Teacher Campaign" in Nigeria and a few other countries in Africa. More next week when I get the laptops on my laps. Raphael Hello,
As I mentioned before, I ordered for 10 laptops to be delivered to me in Abuja, Nigeria and I was provided a tracking number by Max. There were some initial delays and I was informed that some custom paperwork was required. The consignment was initially delayed for some days in China but as I write, we have been informed by the UPS that the computers are in Lagos now, but it seems that Customs may charge some fees. Hopefully, I should get the machines in Abuja by next week. I have a large number of teachers who are very interested in the machines and it is my intention after this 10 to order for as many as 100 – 200. We want to launch a “One Laptop per Teacher Campaign” in Nigeria and a few other countries in Africa.

More next week when I get the laptops on my laps. Raphael

]]> By: Imanizwarg http://whiteafrican.com/2009/12/16/the-small-slow-and-sufficient-99-africa-laptop/comment-page-1/#comment-192626 Imanizwarg Fri, 26 Mar 2010 19:07:07 +0000 http://whiteafrican.com/?p=3075#comment-192626 Hi got them out by giving two to the customs officers as "gifts" & paying reduced duty T.I.A! They look good , all going well except for when you go from cafe to cafe connecting to wireless networks it seems to be defaulting to the previous cafe's network and when it obviously cant find it i get "unknown host" konqueror error, though when you plug it into ethernet its fine. Does anyone know how you remove or stop the wireless networks you visit from being remembered in linux? I have no idea what flavour these are but its ubuntu. As the main purpose is internet browsing if this is a hitch people won't be happy, i have tried 4 today and had the same error..when moving between wireless spots. After i sort out the wireless , i will then test one of them for robustness by taking it out with me, dropping it gently etc, there are no movable parts so they shd be robust and the casing is quite hard. Where do i find control panel or internet settings in linux? Hi got them out by giving two to the customs officers as “gifts” & paying reduced duty T.I.A!

They look good , all going well except for when you go from cafe to cafe connecting to wireless networks it seems to be defaulting to the previous cafe’s network and when it obviously cant find it i get “unknown host” konqueror error, though when you plug it into ethernet its fine. Does anyone know how you remove or stop the wireless networks you visit from being remembered in linux? I have no idea what flavour these are but its ubuntu. As the main purpose is internet browsing if this is a hitch people won’t be happy, i have tried 4 today and had the same error..when moving between wireless spots.

After i sort out the wireless , i will then test one of them for robustness by taking it out with me, dropping it gently etc, there are no movable parts so they shd be robust and the casing is quite hard.

Where do i find control panel or internet settings in linux?

]]> By: Mika http://whiteafrican.com/2009/12/16/the-small-slow-and-sufficient-99-africa-laptop/comment-page-1/#comment-192569 Mika Fri, 26 Mar 2010 10:36:07 +0000 http://whiteafrican.com/?p=3075#comment-192569 Imanizwarg, Good to hear that the laptops have arrived! Let us know when you have actually been able to use and test them (are they robust and usable enough in your opinion?) Raphael, any news from you computers? Mika Imanizwarg,

Good to hear that the laptops have arrived! Let us know when you have actually been able to use and test them (are they robust and usable enough in your opinion?)

Raphael, any news from you computers?

Mika

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