Intel Enters Low-Cost PC Race

By NewIndPress.com

10/8/05

Even while the AMD-VSNL tie-up on promoting its low cost computers Personal Internet Computers (PIC) in India failed to take off in a big way, its rival and leading chip maker Intel is all set to come up with its strategy on low cost computers.

The strategy will be announced in the next two months and is aimed at banking on the ‘community computer’ concept for rural India.

A pilot project has been undertaken in 10 different regions of the country. Based on the inputs derived from the pilot studies, Intel would announce its strategy.

Speaking to the media here on Thursday, Intel Corporation senior vice president Patrick P Gelsinger said the community computer had been designed to provide internet access to communities and villages in rural and remote areas.

The Intel-based community computer can function with a car battery as electricity supply is sporadic in many parts of rural India.

It contains special screens and filters to reduce dust and insects that could enter the PC and impact reliability. It is also designed to handle extreme heat conditions of more than 380 C, he pointed out. The community computer can be used for educational purposes in schools in rural areas and have other applications. The computer is still in the conceptual stage, he said.

Intel director for South Asia (Sales and Marketing) Amar Babu said that the company would soon start its pilot initiatives on WiMax in Karnataka and Uttaranchal to ascertain the feasibility of wireless data transfer through new technologies.

Talks with the respective State Governments are in an advanced stage for these trials that would enable the Governments to use wireless technology for broadband services and would impact Government work, besides being used in education, commerce and business, he said.