The organization, One Laptop per Child, still intends to meet its goal of developing a $100 laptop that can be provided at a cost that people in the developing world can afford.
So far, however, the least expensive laptop developed still costs $150.
Although the arrival of the netbook would seem to put this goal even closer to completion, the $100 goal has to be met in a way that includes a solar array for power, something that is not yet part of any netbook design.
And the development of smartphones — some of which are more costly than laptops themselves — may suggest a new means to reach the goal once their prices have been driven down by increased demand.
Since demand for these devices is the main factor buoying manufacturers in the current climate, maybe that will happen soon.