Michael Dell backs computer re-use over OLPC

Speaking at the launch of Dell's new small business machine - the interestingly named "Vostro" - surely a Dr. Who baddy?? - the chief exec questioned whether creating bespoke new form factors for the developing world was the best approach to bridging the digital divide.

“125 million computers come out of circulation every year. Those 125 million computers are about as powerful as the $100 computer. Would be a better idea to reuse those computers? The challenge nobody wants them since they don’t do very much. Could governments distribute?. And do the people getting those need those computers more than they need other things.”

Dell probably needs to catch-up on the fact that this is happening at the monent via charities such as Computer Aid which re-distributes machines to the developing world - and has been doing so for years.