Analyzing the Simplicity of the OLPC Laptop: Challenges and Design Solution Proposals

• Maíra Codo Canal UFSCar
• Leonardo Cunha de Miranda UNICAMP
• Leonelo Dell Anhol Almeida UNICAMP
• M. Cecília C. Baranauskas UNICAMP

Abstract

Previous studies reported problems regarding interaction design with the educational laptops from OLPC (One Laptop Per Child). However, those results point to low-level issues and also do not propose solutions for the reported problems. This paper describes and discusses results obtained in a study involving 21 subjects aiming at a qualitative evaluation of the XO laptop design using an approach based on the Laws of Simplicity proposed by John Maeda. The results reveal design problems regarding XO’s hardware and software and for most cases we point out suggestions to solve them.

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