HCL launches sub-14K laptops

With a little help from Intel, Indian hardware manufacturer HCL Infosystems on Tuesday launched an ultra portable range of laptops with mobile Internet computing experience under Rs 15,000. And no, they are not called Classmate!

NEW DELHI: With a little help from Intel, Indian hardware manufacturer HCL Infosystems on Tuesday launched an ultra portable range of laptops with mobile Internet computing experience under Rs 15,000. And no, they are not called Classmate!

The self-branded laptops called HCL MiLeap X and Y Series have been designed exclusively for India, claimed the company.

HCL already has an existing range of its laptops called Leaptop. The entry-level laptop however does not have a hard disk and runs on Linux, though Microsft Vista can be added in the high-end Y Series.

Like Classmate PC from Intel, the two new models with a 7 inch screen size are ultra-light and weigh under-one kg. But there have been modifications made and customisation done for the product to suit to the needs of other user segments than just students.

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Despite the price, the new range offers a full PC functionality with Internet experience unlike Classmate, and at a price much lower than Classmate.
 
‘MiLeap’ is targeted at consumer who needs to stay connected, informed, entertained and productive-anytime and anywhere. It’s lightweight and small in size makes it so convenient, that one does not think twice about carrying it to the office, home, gym or park, or using it in a train, bus, plane or metro, claimed the company.
  
Said HCL Infosystems chairman and CEO Ajay Chowdhry, “HCL is proud of its heritage of leading the technology revolution in India. With a legacy of having pioneered India’s first micro-computer, the country’s first desktop PC and the first home PC, at HCL it’s always been our endeavour to create technologies that touch lives.

“MiLeap’ Leaptops will herald in a new category of computing devices, opening up a wide range of new usage scenarioes and application areas,” he added.

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Speaking at the launch of HCL’s new product, Intel's managing director, sales and marketing, South Asia, Ramamurthy Sivakumar said, “In a world where the access to information technology is really the passport to the 21st century, Intel and HCL are determined to broaden the number of people who can get access to the Internet."

MiLeap Leaptops' ultra portable form factor makes it convenient to carry and open up new possibilities in usage among a much larger number of people in corporates and particularly small businesses.

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The price of MiLeap X Series starts at Rs 13,990 and it will be available in both flash-based and disk based storage versions. Its design makes it dustproof, shock-proof and durable just like Classmate.

Both the models have network ports, are Wi-Fi ready, have the option for a data card and are available with GUI-enabled Linux OS which the company has said it will support with a 24 hour helpline.
 

The high-end MiLeap Y Series Leaptops will be sold for under Rs 30,000 and powered by Intel's Ultra Mobile Platform and Microsoft’s Vista Home Premium operating system. It weighs just 960 gm and comes with a Swivel 7’’ touch screen, 80 GB HDD, wireless connectivity, data card option, Bluetooth and Ethernet network port offering full PC functionality with Internet.
 
MiLeaptop Y Series also has navigational pad that offers multiple features such as touch screen, thumboard, stylus, keyboard, mouse and one-touch buttons. The Microsoft Windows Vista Home premium powered MiLeap Y series, however, has been priced at Rs 33,990.

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