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A new desktop computer costing just £130 (9,990 rupees) is set to boost rates of IT literacy for 100 million Indians following its unveiling on the subcontinent. Manufactured by HCL Infosystems, the super cheap system is available for less than £4 per month and is tipped as an enabler to transform lacklustre rates of computer ownership across the country. Analysts predict the so-called ‘PC for India’ could boost ownership rates fivefold from its current level of 15 million computers, out of total population of 1.1bn. The system is expected to be embraced by the nation’s 100m-strong middle classes, who have come to view IT literacy as a status symbol signifying an upwardly mobile professional. Its offering will also be welcomed by youngsters and workers previously locked out of the internet revolution because of the high price of desktop systems comparative to national earnings. All these groups can now gain access to computer systems - especially middle class Indians on reported wages of 3,750 rupees (£48) a month, with groups in rural areas also expected to benefit from the release of pedal-power systems to recharge ailing batteries. But the release of ‘India’s PC’ is being promoted as a cost reduction tool for IT hardware across Europe and beyond, according to VIA Technologies, which makes the system’s computer chips. “Computers in Europe are way too expensive…there's no excuse for it," Ravi Pradhan, VIA's manager in India told The Daily Telegraph. "I'm going for meetings in London next week to discuss with potential suppliers how to get cheaper computers to market. We are already selling in Australia for as little as $499 (£216) and prices could come down even further." The Indian Institute of Technology is backing the release of the super cheap PC, hailing the system as the first step to getting Indians onto the Web and into “the shared global forum of the world.” Aug 5, 2005 Email this article Printer friendly page Previous Page
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