India Unveils Prototype of $35 Tablet Computer

You get what you pay for - in this case you get an etch-a-sketch

This will be like the 1 lakh car - came into production 20 years later and is designed for someone who doesn't know any better.

India also have the $2000 car. Come to think about it, I have only seen them in books...

I don't doubt that a $35 tablet computer is not possible. Given the labor rates and availability of parts from all over the world (China), prices will keep dropping all over the world. I don't know the actual figures, but if I were to make a guess, I would break down the cost of a current laptop as follows:

Parts 10 to 20%

Development costs 30 to 40%

Marketing 40%

Profit 10%

In India, I would suspect parts to cost less due to their 3rd world status (I'm not certain of the status). Development cost to be very low as most has already been done by others. Marketing could be very inexpensive and profit could be the same.

In this country, development and marketing costs the most.

For a 35 USD unit the:

Development costs are certainly not considered.

Marketing is not considered.

Profit is not considered.

The parts will cost the same around the world and if anything are more expensive in 3rd world countries - been there and done that

If there is one made and sold for 35 USD it will be a clunker. This is the Indian government talking. Many Indians are very capable people however the government is a complete and total disaster. If you think the politicians in the US are idiots then a new word is needed for where the great majority of the voters make their mark (illiterate) on the ballot - they vote for a symbol, not the person.