Engadget is [reporting][2] that Quanta computing, the makers of the XO, of OLPC fame, have received the go-ahead to start a mass production run. Even more interesting, Reuters is reporting that some of these may be offered for sale in the western world.

Reuter's [quotes][1] Mary Lou Jepsen, OLPC chief technology officer, as saying the XO laptop could initially be available to the public for just $350 -- roughly twice its production cost.

The group is also reportedly considering raising that figure to $525 and using the excess money to fund additional machines for developing countries.

This is somewhat of a reversal from the OLPC foundation's earlier statements that the XO would not be available to the general public. But the slightly higher price tag does seem like a good way to raise additional funds for the project.

Especially give that there seems to be a fair amount of pubic interest in the XO, but whether the public's curiosity and fascination with the novelty of the XO will translate into a willingness to buy it is a whole other story. Perhaps at $525 it could be considered a tax-deductible gift to charity?

[1]: http://www.reuters.com/article/companyNewsAndPR/idUSN2336963020070723
[2]: http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/23/quanta-begins-olpc-xo-production-ramp-up/