Microsoft launches PC for beginners

Microsoft Corporation India has made available Windows XP Starter Edition in India. Targeted at beginner home PC users in developing markets, this low cost version of Microsoft (MS) XP operating systems is aimed at enabling easy access to computing across India. 

MS has partnered with HCL and Intel to develop PCs with Windows XP Starter Edition. The company also announced that Uttaranchal will be the first to make these PCs available. Its government is introducing PCs as part of its People's PC program —
Gyanotkarsh, under which all state government employees will be able to purchase these PCs at a starting EMI of Rs 399.

Microsoft Corporation India Business and Marketing Operations Director, Ranjivjit Singh said, “Today the PC penetration in the country stands at less than 1.4% with relevance and affordability being the key barriers to the adoption and use of PCs in the country. We need to create offering that people can easily use and can more easily access. The Windows XP Starter Edition is intended to help address these two issues.”

With this launch, India joins countries like Brazil, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, where Microsoft has made Windows XP Starter Edition available. The vendor had expressed its intent to make Windows XP Starter Edition available in India in September 2004. Over the last six months, the company has conducted extensive research with individuals, household and partners in cities and towns across India and the final product has been developed following their feedback.

CYBERMEDIA NEWS 

NEW DELHI