The One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) project is to sell its computers in the US, but the purchaser must buy two machines and give one to the developing world.

The OLPC computers will go on sale on 12 November priced at $399 for the pair. The scheme will run for a short period and is intended to bulk up volume production of the devices and raise awareness of the programme.

"OLPC will be offering a 'Give 1 Get 1 Program' for a brief window of time," said OLPC founder Nicholas Negroponte in a statement.

"For $399 you will be purchasing two XO laptops, one that will be sent to empower a child to learn in a developing nation, and one that will be sent to your child at home."

The organisation has set up an XO website to handle orders and is taking donations to buy laptops for children in developing worlds.

The OLPC project was set up to provide $100 laptops for children in the developing world, but has been beset with problems.

The current price is $188, due in part to chip problems and low production volumes. Mass production is due to start in October.