Bangladesh announces its first laptop for $130

Close on the heels of the launch of a $35 tablet in India, news of the launch of a $130 laptop being unveiled begun surfacing. According to a BBC report, this time it’s not India, but neighbouring Bangladesh who’s just witnessed the launch of its first-ever laptop for all of $130 (10,000 taka), which brings its price in rupees to roughly Rs. 6,500. The laptop, named DOEL was unveiled on Tuesday by the Bangladesh Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, at a ceremony in Dhaka. The DOEL laptops are being produced by the state-owned telecoms company, Telephone Shilpa Sangstha (TSS). For now, the TSS would be producing four models of the DOEL laptops. 

Bangladesh's $130 laptop (Image credit: DotNews)

The report further suggests that the primary model of the laptop will run on Android OS. The laptop,  in the initial stages of its sale will be distributed to the various governments, and then to the students. It is learnt that at present Bangladesh just produces 10 percent of the components for the laptops, while importing the rest. But, an optimistic TSS Managing Director, Mohammad Ismail  hopes to produce 60 percent of the components in Bangladesh itself.

One of the DOEL laptops unveiled (Image credit: DotNews)

Now, getting down to business. What is packed within these $130 DOEL laptops? According to a report on DotNews, four models of the DOEL laptops, namely - Model 2102, Model 0703, Model 2603 and Model 1612 have been launched.

Here's a lowdown on each of their specifications:

Model 2102

• Google Android Integrated
• 10-inch LCD Panel (1024*600)
• Integrated 0.3 MP Webcam
• Wi-Fi 802.11b/g
• 2 USB 2.0
• VIA 8650 800MHz
• 512 MB RAM
• SD Slot for Max 32GB
• Price - 10,000 taka

Model 0703

• Linux-based OS
• 10.1 inches (1024*600), WXGA LED Backlit
• Integrated 1.3 MP Webcam
• 802.11 bg/n
• 3 USB 2.0
• Intel ATOM Processor N455 1.66GHz
• 1GB DDR3
• Samsung SATA 250 GB HDD
• 802.11 bg/n
• Price - 12,000 taka

Model 2603

• Linux-based OS
• 13.3 inches (1360*768)
• Integrated 1.3 MP Webcam
• 802.11 bg/n
• 3 USB 2.0
• WXGA LED Backlit
• Intel ATOM Processor D525
• 1.8GHz 2GB DDR3
• Samsung SATA 320GB HDD
• Price - 21,000 taka