One of India’s oldest PC companies, HCL has just launched a sub-$300 computer that is while skimpy is good starter machines for most Indians who want to get a computer for the home. The PC is called EzeeBee Pride, and will be available on a $9 a month installment plan. So what does this piece of gear have in terms of features? A 1GHz processor (either from Intel or AMD), a 30 GB hard disk, 128 MB RAM, a 15-inch colour monitor and even a 52 x CD ROM drive. Clearly this is barebones, but still a good way to boost India’s abysmal PC penetration especially in the rural areas. Couple this with broadband, and well you know … magic can happen. (What is People’s PC?)
5 comments so far
5:59 PM PT
WTF? 30 MB hard drive? I do hope thats a typo! Man, if that is not a typo…. then what were these guys thinking? What OS fits on a 30 MB space?
5:59 PM PT
Of course it is a typo. But for me the interesting thing is HCL has taken this press release now.Emergic mentions this some nine months back. Has the spec improved from last year? Otherwise the take rate was not that impressive - just 75K units per year.
5:59 PM PT
30 GB hard drive is what I read!
5:59 PM PT
Being a software developer I can say that you cant even do just browsing the internet with 128MB of RAM, forget about running a Microsoft Excel or Word. I think its just a marketing thing.. when it comes to reality the consumers will pay for all the upgrades. I can live with 30GB of Harddrive if the buyer is not a big time video or audio buff.
11:43 AM PT
C’mon leo. The configuration sounds good to me. 128 MB is pretty decent and most machines in s/w companies with similar config…
The target for this machine is anyway, the untapped middle, lower-middle class and the Govt, etc
The ‘Air Deccan’ of PCs is here…!
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