Cubit Computers may re-launch Tablet PC

Ahmedabad-based Cubit computers, one of the first companies to bring the Tablet PC to India is planning to restart manufacturing the product in its facility in Himachal Pradesh.

The re-launched Tablet PC is expected to be equipped with Wi-Fi, a Core 2 Duo processor and advanced touch screen options. The company will also be extending its insurance cover for laptops to the re-launched product.

The Tablet PC was launched by the company in late 2002 but the rising demand for laptops saw Cubit discontinuing mass production of the product to make way for laptops.

Aimed at providing a mobile computer to professionals, over 200 units of the Tablet PC were taken up by teachers and doctors till it was available in the market. The Tablet PC functioned completely through touch screen technology, which will be retained in its advanced version.

"While laptops keep growing over 35 per cent every year, there is still a market for the Tablet PC provided it is equipped with the latest technology. We offer insurance cover on all our laptops and this will include the Tablet PC when it is launched, since customers look at insurance as an important factor while buying technology-based products," said Jayesh Bane, VP Sales, Cubit Computers.

The price of the product has been pegged at close to Rs 1.2 lakh, however that would depend on the LCD screen. An LCD screen itself costs anywhere between Rs 30,000 to Rs 60,000 depending on the size with the 7-inch screen being the most expensive.

Cubit presently has 12 products on offer which range between Rs 26,000 and Rs 65,000. After entering into direct retailing with its chain of laptop galleries called 'Cubit Alleys', where it will set up 30 stores by the end of 2007 in Gujarat, the company plans to target the Mumbai market.

A feasibility study by the company in Mumbai has revealed that there is potential for 40,000 laptop sales per month of which Cubit is aiming to take a 10 per cent share in the coming years. It will be entering white good chain stores to give its products more recall value.

Since 30 per cent of laptop sales come from the Insurance segment and 25 per cent come from the education segment, the company is looking at concentrating on these verticals. It will also be hiking manufacturing capacity at its plant by 120 per cent in the near future.