New OLPC Competitor Ready to Kick Ass

In case you were wondering why the picture shows INTEL's XO rather than the new contender, the answer is very simple: because no pictures or details regarding the computer exist. What we can tell you is that it is called LiteComputer and it may as well be the first OLPC fighter that will integrate a dual core CPU. Nice one, especially if you think at what the competition has to offer.

I say "might as well be" because the CPU that will be mounted onto the LiteComputer is also unknown. Rumors suggest it will be an Analog Devices Blackfin series CPU (these CPUs have both single and dual core forms) and that means it will possess some non standard hardware features such as virus and malicious content scanning and blocking. Lite Appliances, the mother company based in Atlanta, is pretty confident that its small PC will succeed where others failed. The system will come with in-house developed software that will support Google's Docs and Spreadsheets as well as other free productivity software.

The company that will produce the little PC says that it costs about $100 per unit to produce it but they also pointed out that the final product will not contain an LCD. And because you can't live without the screen, a small LCD will probably add another $100 to the setup making the system rise at a projected price tag of at least $100. Lite Appliances says that it already has more that 200 customers waiting for the product to come out. The LiteComputer will be shown at CES and it could turn out to be quite a success if the numbers turn out right.