Lenovo plans to offer a low-cost, sub- notebook computer, priced at $399. It is following closely in the footsteps of Hewlett-Packard, Dell and Acer which have some machines down to $299. The companies are hoping to tap the next six million first-time computer users in emerging markets.
One wonders whether enough research has been done on this. Yes, these computers will perform simple tasks such as surfing the Internet, emailing, listening to music and running basic applications.
Lenovo plans to offer the so-called ‘netbook’ computer in two configurations, one with 512 megabytes of memory and an 80-gigabyte hard drive and the other with one gigabyte of memory and a 160-gigabyte hard drive.
The models will use Intel’s Atom processor, and the keyboard will be 85% of the size of a full-function notebook PC’s keyboard.
None of which matters very much. For younger people a computer is a machine for social interaction and game playing. At neither of these activities do these ultra-cheap computers star.
One has an idea that a middle-aged committee has come to the conclusion that these are good for young people and will be swooped up. And the committees may well have got it horribly wrong. Only the sales figures will give the answer to that.