205: computing in Cuba

Some dramatic scenes from Cuba today, via this article from Associated Press. Raul Castro's government lifted yet another restriction yesterday, as PCs went on sale to the public for the first time in Havana. Only one model, the Chinese manufactured and Cuban assembled QTECH PC, is available. But even this drew significant crowds - some to buy and many others just to look... and dream: the PC retails for around $780 in a country where the average government wage is around $20 a month. Those who do splash out have often saved for many years to do so. And many of these customers are students - or parents investing in their kids' futures, hoping the PCs will be used for homework more than for entertainment. This hope may not be in vain, since Cuban households cannot yet connect to the internet, so surfing or online gaming aren't options - though surely that restriction can't survive much longer? Cuba is changing, and fast... (Photo one of a slideshow from AP.)