3Com to launch palmtop computers

BANGALORE: 3Com India Pvt. Ltd., the wholly owned subsidiary of the $5.8 billion global

networking and communications technology major, 3Com Corp, is planning to launch a range

of palmtop computers in the country in the next six months.

These palmtops have a 2MB memory even as expansion modules

could be added as an extra feature. The range of palmtop products that are likely to be

introduced in India include the Palm Pilot, Palm 3E, Palm 3, Palm 3X and the Palm 5.

3Com is gearing up to use this new concept and tap the

domestic market and it expects to garner a market share of 70-80 per cent. The company is

working on ways to peg the entry level price for these new generation technowares at

around Rs 10,000.

The move is part of the parent company's global strategy to

focus on new generation consumer products. 3Com has earned revenues worth $600 million

from the palm-held segment globally during the last fiscal year ending May 31. It expects

sales to cross $1 billion by May 2000.

3Com India began operations as the wholly-owned subsidiary

from June, 1999. The Indian operations had posted a turnover of around Rs 75 crore last

year (ending May 1999).