SOL is the world first truly solar-powered laptop. (Credit: solaptop.com)
WeWi Telecommunications Inc., a Canadian IT company, recently unveiled its new robust Ubuntu Linux laptop designed specially designed to work under harsh conditions and without an access to electricity. The device called SOL can use electricity produced by built-in solar panels. According to the company’s press-release, the laptop was developed to accelerate education in developing countries.
The product’s website states that Sol is built using durable, reinforced materials, complex military industrial design and architecture that are meant to keep the laptop in good shape, so that SOL can survive through the forces of nature and some abuse.
SOL is equipped with a battery and can run for about eight to 10 hours without charge. The device isn’t meant just for the developing countries. “We are currently working on additional models for explorers and adventurers. SOL is self-sustainable and runs on green energy. It is a great device for everyone around the world,” David Snir, the company’s C.E.O explains. “We have been in talks with several universities looking for computers to do field work such as Geology, we are even looking into preparing and certifying SOL to Mil-Spec [U.S Military Standard] which would open another market.”
The laptop will have an Intel Atom D2500 1.86 GHz Duo Core CPU with an Intel 945GSE + ICH7M graphics and memory controller, a 320GB hard drive, 2-4GB of RAM, and a built-in Intel GMA3600 graphics card.
SOL will first launch in Ghana. WeWi’s focus on Ghana stems from the company’s recent international expansion into the country where the Canadian corporation collaborated with its African subsidiary on the project.
“We saw a great need for affordable computing in areas where power infrastructure can not sustain the large growth in population or where there is simply no access to electricity at all,” says Roland Carson, C.T.O of WeWi. “A future where people are able to study and work with computers without any access to electricity is very important for advancing education and will help shaping a better future for many individuals in those countries,” Roland continued.
SOL is expected to cost $300-450 and will come preinstalled with Ubuntu Linux and a suite of office/productivity software.
