First, I guess I should clarify that I'm getting it for myself because I think it's a cool device. I was inquiring who else would be buying themselves one.

>I'd rather give someone food.

They aren't for starving people. Giving someone who is starving a laptop is stupid.

>Or maybe books and study
>materials for him and several of his classmates.

How much information can be contained/accessed in $200 worth of books?
I've had college classes that cost me that much in books for one class.

How much "study materials" can you get with $200?

How much more information is available to someone with a computer?

>OLPC always struck me as a terribly inefficient use of money and effort.

I (obviously) strongly disagree.