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Indian Company Shows Off Sub-$200 Laptop

Posted by timothy on from the progress-toward-the-negroponte-device dept.

geo_2677 writes "The Indian company which came out with the Simputer has now come with a PC which cost roughly INR 10,000; that's just about US $200. The project was backed by the Indian government R&D department Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)." Geo2677 points out an article on the low-cost computer at hinduonline.net and another at the Times of India, and writes "The new PC is Linux-based and has office applications, a browser and audio/video capabilities. With a keyboard that can be rolled up, it looks pretty sleek. A U.S. company is already using it in pilot projects, and many more have shown interest. The Indian government hopes that this will push the PC revolution to the masses. It aimed for home users and small businesses/shops. The PC penetration in India is very low, at a measly 13 million, due to the high costs involved."

4 of 318 comments (clear)

  1. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  2. If someone really tried... by nbharatvarma · · Score: 0, Redundant
    You could get a pc a lot better that this at a slightly higher expense...

    Intel 2.8GHz + Motherboard around INR 8000 (This motherboard includes an inbuilt soundcard, Intel's GFX controller)
    512 MB RAM INR 2650/-
    40GB 7200 RPM around INR2000/- (may be even lesser)
    15Inch CRT monitor (say Samsung) INR 4000 Mouse + Keyboard around INR 700/-

    Total: around INR 17000/-

    And this one would actually be an overkill if you are targetting simple home users.
    Take out the 2.8 GHz Intel and use a lesser mortal.. Use a smaller harddisk. Profit!!
    The problem is that you will have to buy these as individual components and assemble them yourself (or get them assembled by someone)
    Most people can't do this, usually out of ignorance.

    p.s. These are the prices as I know them from last week. And some of the components aren't the best. But if you are targetting simple users... Shouldn't matter right ?

    --
    ... and I shall strike upon thee with great vegeance, furious anger and a slightly positive karma.
  3. hmmmm... by LoaTao · · Score: 0, Redundant

    For computing (where power is available) you can get a lot more for about the same price. A couple of quick searchs turned up a Microtel 1.5 Ghz Sempron with 128 MB, 40 Gig, CD, ethernet and Xandros for $199.98 new and a 17" Dell M770mm for $55 used. Grand total: $254.98. The battery idea, while interesting, still requires access to power to charge the batteries, so I don't see that as a huge advantage except during brown-outs (frequent in India according to friends from there).

    --
    The smartest man in the whole, wide world really don't know that much. - Mose Allison
  4. Re:Ok, so, no storage... by garcia · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Apparently I didn't explain myself correctly in my posts above. Let's try again...

    I am NOT arguing that you need a lot of storage for everyday use. What I am saying, though, is that the article is hyping this sub-$200 laptop as a movie and music player but refuses to mention how much on-board storage there is.

    You can't have your cake and eat it too. It's obvious that the storage built-in will not be able to support movies and music (as they so proudly claim) and you will likely have to shell out $150+ to do those things.