VOA标准英语2008年-Intel Pulls Out of One Laptop Per Child Program

By Barry Wood
Washington
08 January 2008

Last week the world's biggest computer chip manufacturer, Intel, withdrew from the non-profit program to get low-cost laptop computers into schools in developing countries.  But as VOA's Barry Wood reports, computer analysts² believe Intel's decision is unlikely to have much impact.

Nicholas Negroponte, the head of the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) project, says Intel withdrew because it is developing a competing low-cost computer. Speaking to Fortune Magazine, Negroponte said Intel was always skeptical³ about this program because it uses a processor from AMD Corporation, Intel's chief rival.

Larry Magid, a computer analyst¹ based in California's Silicon⁴ Valley outside San Francisco, sees benefits in there being competing entries in the under $400 laptop market.

"I don't see any harm in having more than one standard," he said.  "This isn't like two different DVD standards. As long as they all access the same Internet and as long as there is a suite⁵ of software for both, I don't see a big issue."

The first OLPC computers, built in Taiwan, are already in production. Even though they cost nearly twice as much as the $100 per unit originally planned, they have been ordered by the governments of Peru and Uruguay.

Negroponte, who heads the Media Lab at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, says two to three million units will be shipped in 2008.

Computer analyst Magid has tested the OLPC computer.

"I think the Negroponte machine is brilliant," he added.  "It absolutely fits a need. At the same time I don't see why children in the developing world any more than in the rest of the world should be stuck with only one option."

Intel's competing Classmate computer is to cost about $250, about 30 percent more than the green and white XO model from OLPC.  Other companies are also working on low-cost laptops for schools in developing countries.

1 analyst   

n.分析家，化验员；心理分析学家

参考例句：

• What can you contribute to the position of a market analyst?你有什么技能可有助于市场分析员的职务？
• The analyst is required to interpolate values between standards.分析人员需要在这些标准中插入一些值。

2 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

3 skeptical   

adj.怀疑的，多疑的

参考例句：

• Others here are more skeptical about the chances for justice being done.这里的其他人更为怀疑正义能否得到伸张。
• Her look was skeptical and resigned.她的表情是将信将疑而又无可奈何。

4 silicon   

n.硅(旧名矽)

参考例句：

• This company pioneered the use of silicon chip.这家公司开创了使用硅片的方法。
• A chip is a piece of silicon about the size of a postage stamp.芯片就是一枚邮票大小的硅片。

5 suite   

n.一套(家具)；套房；随从人员

参考例句：

• She has a suite of rooms in the hotel.她在那家旅馆有一套房间。
• That is a nice suite of furniture.那套家具很不错。