Simmtronics offers netbooks for under USD 200

BANGALORE, INDIA: With the adoption of netbooks quickly becoming a global phenomenon for business, IBM, Canonical and Simmtronics today announced that the Simmtronics netbook, the Simmbook, is available to emerging markets at a low price of $190 USD.

Available first to emerging markets such as South Africa, the Simmbook is preloaded with IBM Client for Smart Work, which includes IBM Lotus Symphony, access to IBM LotusLive cloud collaboration services, and choice of adding other IBM Lotus collaboration software like Lotus Notes and Lotus Sametime.

"Netbooks are quickly becoming the norm instead of desktop computers for many businesses worldwide,” said Indrajit Sabharwal, founder and managing director, Simmtronics Semiconductors Limited.

He added, “In emerging markets such as South Africa, businesses need a solution that addresses both price and value. The Simmbook solution does just that -- delivering a cost effective, high value and performance system with access to the collaborative tools that businesses need to run efficiently, including email, Web access and instant messaging. Its an ideal product for low total cost of ownership.”

Designed specifically for mobile computing, the Simmbook provides the power of a full-sized laptop in a compact body. IBM Client for Smart Work and Canonical's complete desktop package that's open, easy to use, and offers a security-rich alternative to costly, proprietary PC software.

“As Africa makes economic strides during a time when new technologies like cloud computing are emerging, the Simmbook netbook with LotusLive, Lotus Symphony, Lotus Notes and Ubuntu Linux provides businesses with a complete solution at an affordable price,” said Clifford Foster, IBM sub-Saharan CTO.

He further added that CIO's, IT directors and IT architects from all type of organizations in South Africa -- even those that typically cannot afford new, expensive personal computers -- can now legitimately consider netbooks instead of PCs for business use.

Simmtronics is working closely with IBM to provide low cost computing in emerging markets around the world.   In addition to African countries, the low-cost Simmbook will also be available in India, Thailand and Vietnam, said a press release.