Cubit launches sub-90K tablet PC

Ahmedabad-based Cubit Computers has taken a plunge into the tablet PC market with a sub-Rs 90,000 model. It is targeting corporate customers with these PCs, who do not have intensive computing requirements, but want a machine on which they can scribble and store handwritten notes, while they are on the move. 

The Cubit tablet PC has a 14" LCD screen, which can be tilted and rotated, a 256 MB RAM, 20 GB HDD and Microsoft XP or Home OS and a VIA processor. It comes with a docking station and prices start at Rs 88,000. It does not have a CD-ROM drive or floppy disk drive.

Currently, the other tablet PC brands available in the Indian market are Acer, Toshiba and HP, which are priced over Rs 1 lakh. "By breaking the Rs 1 lakh barrier, we expect to generate a lot of user interest, which can then be converted to sales," remarks Suresh Nair, MD, Cubit Computers. Cubit is also working on launching a Intel Centrino-based tablet PC soon. 

The product will be sold through the company's national reseller network across 18 cities. Cubit expects to sell at least 1,000 units in the next six months. "We already have a database of prospective buyers in the metros and the A-class cities," informs Suresh. 

IDC predicts that in 2003, a total of 5,00,000 tablet PCs will be sold around the globe, which represents about 1% of the total portable PC market. It adds that by 2007 the tablet PC could account for well over 20% of the portable market.

VINITA BHATIA



MUMBAI