Samsung unveils new products

To set up IT store in Hyderabad

Samsung India has announced the launch of new products from its IT division. These include the advanced Haydn series of TFT LCD (Thin Film Transistor Liquid Crystal Display) monitors in 15", 17" and 19" screen sizes and Vivaldi series in 17" screen size. This apart, Samsung India has also launched three NotePCs "� X-60, R-65 and X-11.

The company's IT division has also embarked on enhancing its retail business through IT stores. Fifteen IT stores have been targeted for 2006, out of which one will be set up in Hyderabad in the second quarter of 2006.

Addressing mediapersons here on Tuesday, Princy Bhatnagar, head (value business, IT sales), Samsung India, said, "We are targeting 200 per cent growth in TFT LCD monitor sales this year and are, therefore, enhancing our production capacity at Noida from 2.5 lakh TFT LCD monitor units annually last year to 5 lakh units this year. We expect these monitors to contribute 20 per cent by volume and 35 per cent by value to our total monitor sales this year."

Some of the features of the Hadyn series of monitors include eight-millisecond response time, high-contrast ratio and ultra-narrow bezel. The estimated street price is Rs 11,000 for 15" monitor, Rs 14,000 for 17" and Rs 23,000 for 19".

In the Vivaldi series, the 17" monitor comes with a contrast ratio of 1,500:1 as against the industry standard of 300:1, Bhatnagar said, adding that it has a response time of 6 milliseconds besides flexible control facility.

The company has come out with a promotional programme wherein between February 15 and March 31, 2006, any consumer buying a SyncMaster 740N (17") TFT LCD gets a Samsung laser printer worth Rs 8,490 free. "We expect sales of 25,000 units during the promotion period," he added.

With regard to the NotePCs, both the X-60 and the R-65 feature Intel's Napa platform, enabling upwards of six hours of battery life. They also have an embedded 802.11 ABG card and Bluetooth 2.0 that give immediate access to high-speed wireless networks.

The estimated street prices for Samsung X-60 is Rs 84,990, for R-65 it is Rs 79,990 and for X-11 it is Rs 64,590. The company is targeting a growth of 400 per cent in NotePCs and 125 per cent in the printer business this year.

Meanwhile, the 15 IT stores to be set up by Samsung will involve an investment of $1.5 million. The retail sector is currently contributing to only 12 per cent of the company's IT business. The IT division contributes 27 per cent of Samsung India's revenues and is expected to grow by 20-25 per cent this year.