Take that, MacBook Air

Most of you have probably seen these little green buggers in the news, and you probably know that they're cheap laptops attempting to blanket the developing world.

Sounds cool, but the more you learn, the cooler they get.

Founded by MIT techie superstar Nicholas Negroponte, the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) program is considered just as much an educational experiment as a technological one. The goal is for the rugged, low-cost computers to be used in settings all over the world where children otherwise wouldn't have access to such technology -- and, in turn, to the world.

Though not nearly as feature-loaded as the computer the average child in the U.S. may be used to, the machine, called the XO has some magic of its own. It not only has wireless Internet, it's actually its own wireless router. And it can also run off of human power in the form of a crank, pedal or pull-cord and is incredibly energy efficient.

The price might be the best part. Each computer currently costs $187 to make and will reach OLPC's original $100 target in 2009. The tiny price tag in 2011? Just 50 bucks.

OLPC has already covered most of the globe and shows no signs of stopping.

Check out some of the behind-the-scenes story here:



And, if you're ever stumped on a gift for a nerdy, worldly and/or compassionate friend or family member, think about donating a laptop to a child on their behalf. A computer and delivery is $200, but you can make a donation of any size (a student-bank-account-budget might at least pay for the keyboard?).

Too bad the Give 1 Get 1 campaign -- for $399, you donate one computer and get one for yourself -- is over. Now that I've been looking at the little guys for so long, I'm starting to want one!