Low Cost Computers Cast a Cyber Spell

You can build your own personal computer without making a huge dent in your pocket. Glo bally, personal computer shipments are said to be to the tune of 35 million. But, in India, it's a mere 1.4 million, thanks to the affordability factor.

However, the computer-savvy residents of the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, don't need to worry. There are quite a few affordable PC options in the market.

Recently, Computech International launched a Pentium 233 MMX PC in the city for Rs 15,990, with one year warranty. It comes with

32 MB Ram, 10.1 GB hard disk, and color monitor and ATX casing. Buyers, who need to pay an additional amount for Microsoft Windows, can upgrade the PC depending on their requirements.

Vijay Moza, CEO Computech International, who is bullish about the market for the newly-launched PCs, says his company wanted to make PCs available at low costs, and found that even one-year old technology could be relevant for normal usage such as

accessing the Internet, doing database work, run spreadsheets and Word applications.

Defending Computech's decision to provide one-year-old technology, Moza says: "It is for segments that can't afford it. Every child should have access to a personal computer. The technology is good, even though it's an year old. When the scheme was launched in Delhi, the pricing touched the nerve of the Indian psyche. On the pretext of high technology, you can't

deprive people of access to a PC. And we are giving brand new machines."

Moza adds: "Like an expert said, in the Indian scenario, we don't need an icecream for Rs 60. We can have it for Rs 7 too."

Computech, whose manufacturing unit is located in Silvasa in Nagar Haveli, expects a tremendous response to the model. "By March we expect 30,000 buyers, and by 2002, about one lakh," Moza says. Currently, Computech is the lowest priced branded PC. However, assembled versions come much cheaper.

A PC with 32 MB Ram, an Intel Celeron processor, 20 GB hard disk, key board, mouse, monitor, multimedia -- is available for just Rs

27,000. Without multimedia kit which includes speakers, sound card, and CD-ROM drive, they are avaialble for even Rs 20,000.

Computer Den, one of the leading assemblers in the city, have even cheaper versions. Their super economy range, with IBM Cyrix

300 MHz CPU, 1.44 FDD, 10.2 GB Seagate hard disk, 16 MB Ram, 14" mono monitor, VGA card, 105 keyboard, and mouse, is available for Rs 16,800.

The economy range, with AMD K6/2 MHz ultra fast processor, Via board, 10.2 GB hard disk, 14" color monitor, 4 mb AGP card, 105 key board, mouse, 32 MB Ram, Cabinet and 1.44 FDD, is available for Rs 26,400.

The commercial range which has specifications that match high-end technology branded products, just costs Rs 29,800.

A PC with such specifications, including Intel Celeron processor, Intel chipset 810E board, Seagate 10.2 GB hard disk, 14" color

monitor, 32 MB ram, 3 button logitech mouse, 1.44 MB sony FDD, 3D sound card, 52X CD-ROM drive, mini tower cabinet, 105 windows keyboard, 180 watt amplified speakers, is generally available in the market for about Rs 45,000 to 50,000.

However, though there are good assemblers in the market, going for an assembled version might prove costly in the long run.

It's, therefore, very important to go for a trusted assembler, who is willing to provide after-sales service for at least one

year and only if the buyers have knowledge of and desire a certain kind of specification in the PC, customized for those

particular needs.

Otherwise, well-known branded products are generally recommended, though there are not too many low-priced models. (However, this does not mean branded products do not have problems.)

Zenith's Internet-ready PC with multimedia costs Rs 33,000. The company does not serve home users directly. The PC can be bought

through their dealers only, specified at their Website. But, as a company spokesperson himself admitted, the PC, with 8 GB hard

disk, 32 MB Ram, 14" color monitor, SIS 630 E processor, SIS motherboard., is not upgradable and is "just a cute showpiece

after an year or so."

Recently, HP too came up with a scheme for a PC at Rs 25,295. But, the catch is that the PC, with Intel Celeron 600 MHz

processor, 64 MB SD Ram, 10 GB SMART hard disk and 1-year warranty, costs an additional Rs 7,000 to 10,000 for the monitor. It's available at all leading HP dealers including Simlim Plaza in Paradise.

HCL's low priced PC is available for Rs 33,000. It has Celeron processor 566, 32 MB Ram, 14" color monitor, 10 GB hard disk,

and a multimedia kit. Without the multimedia kit, the system cost Rs 30,250. HCL systems can be purchased through HCL Infosystems

in Begumpet, or through dealers such as Sri Krishna Marketing in Park Lane, Secunderabad.

Wipro has a low-price range in its "Supergenius" models. The PCs are priced at Rs 32,240 and Rs 39,520 depending on the software that's been loaded: Dos or Windows 98. The system specifications include 600 MHz Celeron processor, 32 MB Ram, 10 GB hard disk, 2 usb ports, keyboard and mouse. Wipro PCs are available at Parity Mart on MG Road in Secunderabad.

The lowest range in Compaq begins at Rs 39,490. The lowest-priced in the Presario Value Series , the system comes with Intel

Celeron 533 MHz processor, 32/64 MB Ram, 10 GB hard disk, 40x CD-ROM drive, 8 MB SDRAM video memory, 56 kbps modem, 15" color monitor. Compaq is available at almost all leading dealers in the twin cities.

But, before going for the PC buy, it's important to keep in mind the purpose for which it's being bought. Remember not to get

confused by the brilliant array of PC models, specifications and prices in the market.