In an era where companies are encouraging consumers to buy more and more expensive gadgets over and over again, a Peruvian company has just launched a wooden laptop that will last 10-15 years.
In an effort to bring new and affordable technology to the most remote corners of Peru, a family-owned computer specialist and marketer company called Carrascos has created Wawalaptop, a single board computer with a wooden chassis that can be easily disassembled for upgrades and repairs. The laptop is lightweight, super-portable, and very affordable. Wawalaptop costs around $ 235, and the upgrade, which basically means a better PCB, can be bought for around $ 35 on the open market.
The original Wawalaptop was introduced in 2015, but version 2.0, featuring a Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) enclosure and running a free Linux operating system, is finally ready to go on sale.
Wawalaptop supports both conventional and solar charging, but its distinguishing feature is the ease with which it can be disassembled. Carrascos say this is done specifically so that users can easily disassemble and study the electronic content of the laptop, improving it as needed. Instead of throwing away their old laptop, they can simply replace the old motherboard and keep running for 15 years or more.
In addition to being affordable and easy for children to access technology, Wawalaptop also has a positive impact on the environment by reducing environmental waste.