The emerging economies such as India, Russia and China are the new growth drivers and companies are developing products specially suited for these markets.
Will introduce low-cost desktops and laptops globally by next month
SHANGHAI: The emerging economies such as India, Russia and China are the new growth drivers and companies are developing products specially suited for these markets.
Chipzilla Intel showcased several technologies and products, at it’s recently concluded biannual geekfest here. The products were specially aimed at these markets, where the needs and challenges are different from the developed market.
Intel showcased low-cost Nettop and Netbook range of desktops and laptops are expected to retail at $200 and $350 respectively. The products would hit the shelves globally by next month.
They have features such as decent computing speed, wireless internet enabled, along with added advantage of being compact, although they won’t come with high-storage capacity and frills like optical drives may cost extra.
According to Uday Marty, marketing director, basic mobile platforms, Intel has managed to keep a smaller size and low-cost by sticking to basic designs such as small form factor and fanless architecture.
He said, “According to Moore’s law, the computing power in a chip is doubled every two years or so. The same computing speed can be provided in half the size, which has kept the size small and the price low.”
What a consumer is getting today, Marty says, is a PC whose computing power is equal to a PC bought two years back. It satisfies the basic needs such as internet surfing and entertainment, but may falter while running programmes that require high-speed computing.
Intel says, these products would also be marketed in matured markets such as the US and Europe, as a second PC in a family, for the price range is sustainable.
Intel launched the second generation of its Classmate brand of laptops. Its first version was launched a year back, specially for schools. These low-cost, fully functional internet-centric computers have been developed keeping in mind the market scenario of India, China, Latin America, and Africa, where IT penetration is low.
Earlier it was only available for school students to encourage IT education. It is wireless capable with longer battery life, water-resistant keyboards, and more shock-resistant.
Intel has realised the potential of this product from other segments and has opened it for general retail.
Classmate laptops have been developed ground up by Intel engineers in India. HCL is Intel’s partner in India to market it through its channel. HCL and Educomp are deploying the products in schools on subscription basis.
According to a person familiar with the market, in two months of Classmate laptops being opened for general retail, its sale comprised a third of the total laptops sold by HCL. The retail price ranges Rs 14,000-17,000.
(The writer attended a conference in Shanghai at the invitation of Intel)
g_rabin@dnaindia.net
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