I am making the same amount but everything I put off buying because it was too expensive is now discounted.

This actually makes sense. The first stage of navigation is Head Direction cells. These cells are found in a few regions including the thalamus (note it is not the LGN) and they receive indirect projections from the retina. The latest hypothesis is that the retrosplenial cortex is the entry way for vision in navigation. The retrosplenaial cortex receives direct input from the visual cortex and indirectly from the retina. This article suggest that the system is functional (most likely not as accurate) without visual cortex.

The issue is not which operating system is better but which is easier. The concept is that OLPC computers are going to children that do not have access to computers. As much as you don't like Microsoft it is easier to use for people who are not already familiar with computers.