Samsung unveils four new notebook ranges

South Korean consumer electronics major Samsung today expanded its portfolio in the notebook segment by introducing four new models under its existing N and advanced R series.     

"The very positive acceptance (of the mobile PC segment) has encouraged us to further enhance our Mini Notebook offerings. We are looking at Mini Notebook segment as clear growth driver for our mobile computing business going forward," Samsung India Electronics Director-IT Business Ranjit Yadav.      

The mini notebook range has four variants — N110, NC20, N120 and N310.  "The new range of mini notebooks and notebooks comes with features like LED backlit displays for brighter pictures and lower power consumption and powered USB, Samsung utility softwares, spill-proof keyboard, SRS surround sound solutions in select models," Yadav said.     

"Seventy five per cent of the components going into notebooks are being manufactured in-house by Samsung,"he said.      

N310 Mini Notebook is one of the lightest in its class, small enough to carry in a handbag. "We expect Mini Notebooks to constitute 40-45 percent of our total Notebook sales this year," Yadav said.

Describing the Mini Notebook segment as "fastest  growing segment", Yadav, quoting a Gartner survey, said the Indian Notebook market was 200,000 units this year as against 22-25 million units globally.    

In the Notebook range, Samsung launched three new variants; R522 (which is available in two versions) and R470.    

Samsung has two design centres for Notebooks, one in Korea and another in China, Yadav said, adding, the firm which invests 8-9 per cent of its sales in R&D is looking at "hitting a market share of 7-8 per cent in Mini Notebooks and Notebooks next year".     

"We want to be a full range player in the IT business and home users and SMB (Small and Medium Business) enterprises are our target audience. We would be largely focusing on retail", he said.     

To a query on Samsung's mobile PC sales globally, Yadav said the firm reported a 92.9 per cent growth in the first quarter over the corresponding period last year.     

Samsung's Mini Notebooks and Notebooks are priced in the range of Rs 23,639 to Rs 1,15,000.