Who's up for a $100 laptop? MIT researchers have developed a prototype for a $100 laptop which runs the Linux operating system and will be targeted at developing countries...and Massachusetts :-)

The laptop can be powered either with an AC adapter or via a wind-up crank, which is stored in the housing of the laptop where the hinge is located. The laptops will have a 10 to 1 crank rate, so that a child will crank the handle for one minute to get 10 minutes of power and use. When closed, the hinge forms a handle and the AC cord can function as a carrying strap, according to Negroponte. The laptops will be ruggedized and probably made of rubber, he said. They will have four USB ports, be Wi-Fi- and cell phone enabled and come with 1GB of memory.

You can view images of the laptop here.

This news article was written on October 1, 2005, quoting MIT.