Toshiba launches 6 notebook PCs

Toshiba Computer Systems Division, a division of Toshiba Singapore Pte Limited, launched six notebook PCs in India on Wednesday.

The company plans to launch a new product every three months. Besides, it is also looking at increasing its retail presence in India from 40 shops to 120 by March 2006.

The new notebooks include Libretto U100 MiniNote, that weighs 980 gm, PORTEGE R200 notebook that is 9.9 mm thin and weighs 1.29 kg, TECRA M4, a tablet PC, Qosmio E10 and Qosmio G20 with TV tuner card and Satellite M50, a 14-inch widescreen notebook.

According to Ivan Kam, manager, distributor business (south Asia), computer systems division, Toshiba Singapore Pte Limited, the Qosmio models are the only products in the world that provide a 4-in-1 experience. "This means that single product can be used as a PC, TV, audio system and for DVD recording," he added.

HCL Infosystems, which has been selling and supporting Toshiba notebooks for the last seven years, plans to increase its retail presence to 120 outlets from 40 in the country by March 2006.

"Of these, seven will be opened in Hyderabad, and one each in Vijayawada, Vizag and Kurnool," said HCL Infosystems vice-president Rajendra Kumar. In India, Toshiba has recorded sales of 2,20,000 units so far, according to Kumar. The company has a market share of 10 per cent in the country, he added.

Globally, Toshiba is a $65-billion company and spends six per cent of its revenues on R&D. It has recorded worldwide cumulative sales of 37 million notebook computers through 2004. This year, it is looking at touching the 40 million-mark.