Like proud parents bringing home their new baby, team members at the Peruvian OLPC project filmed the arrival of their new BTest-4 XO computer and posted it on YouTube for our viewing pleasure. On a second video, the proud parents did a side-by-side comparison of their new B4 with their old B2. I'm Alec McLure and I have a synopsis and some thoughts on both videos.

In the first video, very reminiscent of Christmas morning home movies, a beaming Alfonso de la Guarda unpacks the obviously solidly packed laptop 2-pack.

An interesting point, he mentions that this time around the customs charges were "only" $66 (apparently when they brought in the previous machine duties were over $150!). South American bureaucracy being what it is, they lucked out this time around. Personally, I'm impressed they were able to get it through customs without multiple visits. I'd also be curious as to what cost basis customs is using to calculate duties.

First out of the box are the chargers and batteries in their own little tray. Although he compares the charger to the previous version, he doesn't remark on any very obvious changes at this point.

He digs in, and there are the carefully packed B4s. First impressions are everything when unpacking toys – and, he loves the colors. Finally getting them out of the Styrofoam, what stands out first is the XO logo - in black and yellow.

Personally I think it's huge! It feels outsize to me given the computer's otherwise sleek look and feel. The OLPC logo makes it a bit too Fisher-Price-ish, and having it just a bit smaller would've looked better – but chacun a son gout. The color combination is also not to my taste, but I'm biased by my obsession with glowing pure white Apple logos.

After remarking on the colors, Alfonso's first touch and feel impression is that the chassis feels "better" in some indefinable way and, in particular, the whole tablet/screen pivot mechanism feels sturdier.

It's time for a test-drive and we move on to the second video, where the B4 and the B2 are set side by side (B4 is on the left, B2 on the right).

Speed: As an informal test, opening an application (in this case 'Write') shows a considerable speed improvement. Clicking on the app at the same time on machines, the load is about 2.5 seconds on the B4 and about 12.5 seconds on the B2 – a remarkable improvement. Note that I just used the YouTube timer for the 12.5 figure – had no advanced timing technology immediately available – not even a watch.

Input - Keyboard: Eduardo finds the keyboard on the B2 to be very uncomfortable and considers it to be quite improved on the B4. Personally, I'd love to see a kid comparing them, though – both an experienced typist and a beginner.

Input – Touchpad: Eduardo found the B2 touchpad to be erratic, in particular when doing continuous movement. This has improved on the B4, which he states is more intuitive in its movements.

General Design, Look, and Feel: He feels that it has improved considerably. He likes the grid under the screen, the softer antennae, and the general "more final" look of the computer, with its colorful logo, which I still think is too big.

Opening, closing, and turning the screen is more intuitive, with design parameters that encourage you to do this the right way. On the B2, this mechanism has a flimsier feel to it - the 'joint' is wobblier, there are more ways to do the process wrong, and there is less built-in 'feel and feedback' as to how to get it right.

Anyone who's used a tablet knows that the screen 'twist and fold' is one of the hardest things to get a feel for. Anything that helps take you down the right path and keeps you from unintentionally decapitating your system with a misplaced twist is a Very Good Thing. Yes, I've come close once or twice on my tablet – but it's survived with only minor surgery.

All in all the feel is of a machine that has taken another step, with faster processing and a generally sturdier and more intuitive feel in the body, and improved input mechanisms. A distinct step towards a final product.

Al OLPC Perú: ¡Buenísimo el Video y gracias por subirlo!