Microsoft is launching a test program to sell AMD-powered personal computers in India, marking the company’s first venture in PC sales.
New Delhi — A day after NIIT announced a multi-core training program for software developers in partnership with Intel, Microsoft India in association with chipmaker AMD launched a Rs. 21,000 personal computer for school going children from kindergarten to class 12.
To increase IT access amongst masses, Microsoft India, has entered in to partnership with Zenith and AMD and other companies to test-market Microsoft-branded personal computers in India…
The announcement is an important milestone in the relationship between Microsoft and AMD to bring solutions to India and other markets around the world.
Dubbed the “IQ PC,” the systems will be aimed at students, include software from Microsoft and other vendors, and be supplemented with Microsoft online services.
The computers, priced at 21,000 rupees — about $525 USD, would be sold in 10 retail outlets each in Bangalore and Pune from July on a test basis for three months. If customer response is encouraging, the availability of the systems may be expanded later.
“We do not see any gain in the short term. Our perspective is long term,” Microsoft India chairman Ravi Venkatesan told reporters.
Microsoft also announced the launch of MSN IQ Beta Education Channel, which will be a repository of educational as well as edutainment content.
Speaking at the launch, Senior Vice President, Emerging Segments Market Development Group, Microsoft, Orlando Ayala said, India is one of the most exciting and important markets in the world.
In 2006/07 the total installed base of PCs in India was 22 million, that is, a PC for about every 50 Indians, industry tracking body IDC said in a recent report.
In addition to being a growth sector of the Indian economy, information technology is also a key enabler of social development.
In India especially, the progress on many fronts is already well underway and continues to mature. Our founding vision of a computer on every desk and in every home has reached the first billion people, and with Unlimited Potential, we are determined to reach the next billion people by 2015.
Speaking to itVARnews, Venkatesan said, The IQ PC offerings are supported by a host of partners, both hardware and software, who have extensive experiences, understanding and are leaders in their area of operations.
The IQ PC will include Windows, Office / Works, Encarta, Student 2007 and specialised education solutions from a host of key partners, including Zenith Computers, Wipro and Sify.
For content the partners include Brilliant Tutorials, Junior Achievements, Pacsoft, Karadi Tales, Gurujiworld, Edurite and Tutorvista. The content will focus on problems like learning of English language and tutorials for competitive examinations.
For hardware globally, Intel and AMD support Microsoft through their respective programs, World Ahead and 50/15. The companies are working to align common objectives to achieve maximum impact for ICT growth in India, added Venkatesan.
Aimed at school students, the PC will be built on AMD hardware in partnership with Zenith as designated OEM. Additionally, Microsoft and AMD are also working towards collaborating with Wipro to deliver IQ-PC on Wipros ultra value.
No technical specifications of the systems have been released, save that they are built around AMD Athlon processors and will be manufactured in partnership with Zenith.
Microsoft also plans to provide educational content to Indian students via its MSN Internet portal, and launch a job search service in India aimed at the estimated 400,000 engineers the nation produces every year.
Microsoft said it was in talks with partners in government and industry for the job search portal.
Microsoft’s job portal will compete with Info Edge (India) Ltd.’s www.naukri.com and Monster Worldwide Inc.’s www.monsterindia.com, among others.
The announcement came close on the heels of the global launch of “Microsoft Unlimited Potential” by Bill Gates in Beijing.
Microoft’s decision to enter the Indian PC market is no doubt spurred by a number of factors, including the desire to tap into what will almost certainly be one of the largest future growth areas for computing products.
If Microsoft can gain mindshare amongst India’s upcoming computer users and professionals while they are still in school, they are more likely to bring Microsoft — and its products — with them into their professional lives.