Quanta's new target for cheap laptops
By Kathrin Hille, Taipei
Published: November 1 2006 02:00 | Last updated: November 1 2006 02:00
Quanta Computer,the world's largest manufacturer of notebook computers, yesterday said it expected to start making cheap laptops for "wealthy" countries on the basis of a platform created for developing markets.
Michael Wang, president and chief executive of the Taiwan group, said the cost-cutting capabilities Quanta gained through its initial $100 laptop project would let it start offering much lower-cost notebooks in developed countries. "The machines sold in developed markets now have many more features than most consumers actually use but they are made to pay for these features," said Mr Wang.
"If you offer a slimmed-down machine which still offers those key applications that are really needed for, say, US$299, many parents of students in developed markets are set to prefer this."
Any such move would put major downward price pressures on the industry.
Quanta is producing a low-cost laptop with basic functions for distribution to pupils in developing an initiative called "One Laptop Per Child".
The computer, for which test production starts this month and mass production is scheduled next year, will be sold for about $100 each to governments in Brazil, Argentina, Nigeria, Libya and other developing states.
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2006
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