If, like me, you're a gadget fanatic and you would like to help someone out while scoring an interesting toy in the process, I may have just the answer for you.

The "One Laptop Per Child" project was started around 2002 by an MIT professor who saw in his travels how much a simple laptop computer could help the education of children in developing countries.  He founded the OLPC project as a way to develop and build a very low-cost laptop PC that could be used to educate children in developinig nations.

The resulting laptop computer is called the "XO" and is priiced at approximately $199.  Right now, if you buy a laptop for a child in a developing nation, the OLPC project will let you buy one for yourself.  The total amount out of your pocket will be around $425, of which you may be able to claim $199 as a charitable deduction on your U.S. Income Tax.  (See your tax advisor or lawyer, naturally.)

The option to give a laptop is of course going on for the forseeable future, but the option to get one for yourself or someone you care about is only open until November 26, 2007.