Nicholas Negroponte's One Laptop per Child Foundation (OLPC) has started selling its famous $100 (XO) laptop computers for no less than $200 per piece.

The laptop computers are being made available in amounts of 10,000 and more through the OLPC Internet site at laptopfoundation.org/participate/givemany.shtml).

Until now, the one constant in the journey of the $100 laptop has been the steady increase in prices: from the original $100 to the temporary $150 to the fresh $188.

Further, the XO laptops are slated to go into production in China next month, which is behind original schedule. Same with the quantities to be produced, which are way behind earlier projections.

And, the software required to run the laptops is not expected to be ready before December 7th. Which means customers have a long wait ahead before they can get their hands on the laptops.

The so-called $100 laptop comes with: a keyboard that switches languages, a video camera, wireless connectivity, an Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) microprocessor, and Linux software.

While the laptop uses Linux software, Microsoft is trying to make its Windows XP software work on the machine.

The laptop's display switches from color to Black and White for viewing in direct sunlight. The machine needs just 2 watts of power as compared to a typical laptop that needs up to 30 to 40 watts of power.

The laptop has no hard drive, and uses flash memory and four USB ports to add memory and other devices.