The little green machine has taken a beating in the press and once lofty goals have been trimmed somewhat. Even governments are playing wait and see, trying to determine if the not-quite-$100-laptop will emerge as Negroponte's feat or folly.

That's why in the face of so much uncertainty, it's nice to see items like this start to bubble up. In Peru, the devices are already starting to expand horizons for the children of remote villages. But even so, challenges persist.

Take, for instance, something that most of us take for granted: tech support. But Negroponte envisions bringing new generations of high-tech tinkerers into the fold.

For every 100 units it will distribute to students, Peru is buying one extra for parts. But there is no tech support program. Students and teachers will have to do it.

"What you want is for the kids to do the repairs," said Negroponte, who believes such tinkering is itself a valuable lesson. "I think the kids can repair 95 percent of the laptops."

Read the rest of the AP report at the International Herald Tribune.