Acer rolls out 9 new notebook models

BANGALORE: Having led the market in offering the industry's first sub Rs. 50K notebook in September 2003, Acer is further deepening its commitment in this category. The company is now enticing consumers with an unmatched 9 notebook configurations in the Rs 40k to Rs 60k price range. These will comprise of 8 models from TravelMate notebook series and one model from the Aspire notebook series.

Consumers will now be given a greater variety of affordable notebook models below Rs 60,000 that allows them to select a notebook without sacrificing features or compromising on performance. The notebook range will offer either an Intel or AMD processor choice as well as a choice between Windows or Linux operating systems. These entry-level notebooks are priced between Rs 43,999 and Rs 59,999 and are equipped with a 14.1 inch TFT monitor. The notebooks will also offer a variety of free upgrade options including CD or Combo-drives and one year free international travelers’ warranty. The notebooks are targeted at SME, SOHO, corporates, enterprises, education segments and mobile sales force segments.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. S. Rajendran, General Manager - Sales and Marketing, Consumer Products Group, Acer India (Pvt.) Ltd. said, "The market potential is definitely at these price points and we believe we need to aggressively target this segment. Our range of notebooks will give consumers the flexibility to opt for a configuration of their choice without compromising in anyway on their unique requirements, be it technology or performance. This offering from Acer will undoubtedly cause a paradigm shift in notebook sales models and the key beneficiary will be the end consumers."

Acer was the first vendor to launch a Celeron (TravelMate 240 series) based notebook at sub-50k in September 2003, while competitive offerings took more than 3 to 6 months to gear up to this pioneering move of Acer’s. Acer was also the first to offer the Pentium 4 based notebook in the market at sub-55k in December 2003. These prices have subsequently reduced to Rs 43, 999 and Rs 46,999 respectively, post the pre-budget.

Acer is an aggressive player in the notebook segment and has recorded the highest year on year growth (Q4 2002-Q4 2003) of 566.06 per cent in the notebook segment according to the latest International Data Corporation (IDC) results. In the notebook segment, Acer has sold 3317 units in the last quarter of 2003 and has gained the third position. In the last quarter of 2003, Acer has shipped close to a million units of notebooks globally. This has helped vault Acer to No. 2 position in the competitive European market.

Acer India's wide range of notebooks in the TravelMate Series include the TM 240 Series, TM 250 Series, TM 290 Series, TM 800 Series and TM C111 (Tablet PC). Entry-level Acer notebooks are targeted at the SME, SOHO, and educational sectors while the high-end tablet notebook is targeted at top-level management.

CIOL Bureau