In the capital of Dhaka yesterday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina launched the first computer ever produced in Bangladesh, amusingly branded as the “Doel” laptop. Telecoms company Telephone Shilpa Sangstha is producing four models of the computer, the cheapest of which runs for about $130, cheaper than most worthwhile netbooks, with the primary model running Android as its operating system.

According to PC World, the primary model of the Doel sports an 800MHz processor 512 MB of RAM, 16 GB of flash memory, Wi-Fi, and a 10.1-inch 1024 x 600 LCD screen. The model will also feature an SD card reader, webcam, and two USB ports.

At first, the laptop will be distributed to government departments, but is planned to then be distributed for public consumption, including to millions of students. Interestingly, at the moment, Bangladesh is only producing 10 percent of the components for the laptop, with the rest of said components being imported, though the company aims to be producing 60 percent of the components within 6 months time.

Hopefully a phrase that becomes popular in Bangladesh will be “Dude, you’ve gotta get a Doel.”

(via International Business Times, BBC News)

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