Date:22/10/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/10/22/stories/2004102202382103.htm

Back IBM sees scope for notebook

Our Bureau

HYDERABAD: IBM India foresees a huge growth in notebook sales in the country. According to Mr Anil J Philip, General Manager (PCD Channels), there was a significant quarter-on-quarter and year-on-year growth in notebook sales in the country.

A variety of users, like management students, started realising the utility and convenience of the notebook, he told Business Line.

IBM's entry-level notebook costs Rs 49,999. Quoting IDC figures, he said IBM sold 13,098 notebooks in the second quarter (April-June), wresting a market share of 33.9 per cent in the segment. Mr Anil was in the city to open IBM's `Think World', a shop front to showcase company's ThinkVantage Technologies at Himayatnagar.

The first in the city and 16th overall, Think World allowed both individuals and corporates to have a feel of the latest products from the IBM stable, Mr Anil said.

"We have no set target for opening such outlets. We will go by market opportunity, partner commitment and expectations," he said. IBM tied up with Compage Data Products, a city-based computers and peripherals company, to open the ThinkWorld.