Samsung looks to become big name in laptop PC market

Having earned a place for itself in the big screen (LCD TV) and small screen (cell phone) space in India, South Korean electronics firm Samsung wants to make a mark in the mid-screen (notebook and netbook PCs) segment.

"We are number one in big screen and number two in small screen and now we want to mark our presence in the mid-size screen... We are eyeing a slot in top three players in next 1-2 years," Seongwoo Nam, General Manager, Computer Systems Division, Samsung Digital Media and Communications Business said.    

"The netbook and notebook PCs are a growth engine for our IT business in India. This is the first full year that we are selling these products in the Indian market and we are very satisfied with the consumer acceptance that we have received so far," he said.    

As per technology advisory services provider IDC's data, HP is leading the market with a 30.9 per cent share followed by Dell and Acer in the April-June quarter, 2009.

"We are looking at attaining a 7-8 per cent market share in the Indian market by next year," he added.    

The netbook market in India is showing a growth in India which is similar to the worldwide trends in this category. The netbook market globally is expected to grow to 42 million from 28 million this year. "In India, we expect the netbook market to double this year to around 200,000 units and grow to anywhere between 300,000 to 500,000 units next year," Nam said.     

In the notebook segment, Samsung have revamped the portfolio in August this year by launching five models of 14" notebooks in the R series taking our portfolio of Netbooks and Notebooks to 13 models in the price range between Rs 19,000 to Rs 1,00,000.     

"We are setting up My Digital within Samsung Plazas in top eight cities (across 50 counters). (We) Are looking at setting up IT Brand Shops as well. The Samsung NotePCs will be selling through this channel," Nam said.     

The company has already set up the IT Brand Shop in Hyderabad and will be launching the next IT Brandshop in Chandigarh shortly, he said, adding that the plan is to cover another five cities by year end.     

"We also want to increase our channel presence from around 600 channel partners to around 1000 plus partners next year," he added.