OLPC Drops AMD And Goes For Via

One Laptop Per Child is switching is XO laptop from an AMD to a Via processor on its next model.

As part of a general hardware redesign, One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) will be switching from an AMD processor to one by Via on its Generation 1.5 machine. Currently using the AMD Geode, new models will carry the Via C7-M.

"The design goal is to provide an overall update of the system within the same ID and external appearance," wrote John Watlington, OLPC’s vice president of hardware development . "In order to maximise compatibility with existing software, this refresh will continue with an x86 processor, using a chipset from Via."

The XO Generation 1.5 is due in November, but it’s different from the Gen 2.0, which will utilize and ARM-based processor and is due in 2011, according to ZDNet. The 1.5 will also see RAM rising from 256MB to 1 GB, while its flash storage will increase to 4GB from the current 1GB, with an option for go up to 8GB.