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Product
Parade
September
17, 2004
Zenith launches seven new laptops,
takes on bigwigs
Geetanjali
Wadhwa & Pradeep Chakraborty
BANGALORE
AND MUMBAI -- Care for a laptop priced at just Rs. 32,000?
Yes, that's true! Such a laptop is now available in
the country, courtesy, Zenith Computers Ltd., India's
number one domestic branded PC manufacturer. The vendor
took the IT industry by storm when it recently launched
seven premium laptops, ranging from Rs. 32,000 to Rs.
70,000!
This
launch was keeping in mind Zenith's revolutionary "Management
by Technology" or MbyT. This concept enables companies
to use technology at all levels to increase productivity
and profitability. Zenith has now made it possible for
firms to equip their entire workforce with affordable
technology. Speaking on the launch, Devita Saraf, director,
highlighted the power of seven of MbyT. The power of
seven consists of seven factors that make technology
deployment across all rungs of the corporate ladder
possible. These are: performance, function, integration,
cost of acquisition, cost of sustenance, mobility and
usability. Devita Saraf said that all technology products
needed to be graded on the scale of seven to ensure
the right match between purpose, budget and scope.
The
laptops launched include the following:
- Salespro:
A budget laptop for salesmen and students, it runs
on Intel Celeron. Priced Rs. 32,000;
- Executive:
A desktop replacement, it runs on the Intel P4 and
is priced at Rs. 41,700;
- Analyst:
A
laptop for professional and educational use, it runs
on the Intel P4. Priced Rs. 47,500;
- Performer:
Intel
Prescott ready, this laptop also runs on Intel P4
and is priced at Rs. 50,000;
- Director:
The WiFi enabled, Intel Centrino best seller, it is
priced at Rs. 54,000;
- Stragtegist:
Another
Centrino unit with a 15.4" wide screen, it is
priced at Rs. 61,000; and
- Presidio:
A 12" laptop weighing 1.1kg only, it runs on
Centrino and is priced Rs. 70,000.
Raj
Saraf, chairman and managing director, Zenith, said
that the MNC brands currently ruled the laptop market
in India. Zenith's share in the segment was only 2-3
percent. Zenith was already the number one laptop manufacturer
with sales of nearly 3,000 units during 2003.04. According
to him, the major drivers for the laptop market in India
were the mushrooming SOHO businesses, frequent traveling
businessmen and the increase in the number of wireless
hotspots.
He
said: "The laptop's market penetration in India
is 3 percent, compared to 40 percent in the United States.
The market in India is set to grow at 150 percent to
200 percent according to the IDC." He added that
Zenith hoped to double its share in the laptop segment
by next year. "The range and price will be our
major drivers." Currently, only 5 percent of Zenith's
revenue comes from the laptop business. Saraf said,
he hoped for a 10 percent increase in terms of unit
sales and to scale up to 15,000 units by next year.
The units will be available through 145 sales outlets
across India.
Contact:
Zenith Computers Ltd.
Tel: +91-22-8377-300
www.zenith-india.com
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