LG launches Centrino-based notebooks

CIRCUIT EC / New Delhi

LG Electronics has made its entry into the Indian notebook market by launching notebook PCs based on Intel’s Centrino, the latest mobile technology from Intel. The company has introduced four models: LM40, LM50, LS50 and LS40 priced between Rs 99,000-140,000. Though a late entrant into the already-flooded Indian notebook market, LG is counting on the USP that it has the world’s longest-lasting battery, which, if fitted with nine cells, can last for at least 10 hours. The company calls this ‘day-long’ wire-free mobility.

According to Anil Arora, the company’s head of marketing, “Notebook PCs will address the customer need for best products at good value for money, and go a long way in establishing LG as the one-stop-shop for all PC and peripheral needs.” He adds that LG will be looking forward to similar launches in the IT space in order to enable the company to offer a total IT experience.

The notebooks come with an integrated Intel Pentium M processor, Intel 855 PM/GM chipset, and an Intel Pro/Wireless LAN card. Some of the other features available are wireless access capability with Quad Band, DVD combo drive, one-click for all network settings, and silent-cooling mechanism. The LM series of notebooks also contain additional features like ‘My Personality’ style indicators, which provide wireless networking function visually, SD Card Slot, and home theatre features like SPDIF, S-Video out port and IEEE 1394.

One of the high points of the notebooks is their long battery life, which is enabled through the company’s proprietary Battery Maximising Technology. The technology provides up to 10 hours of battery life from a single charge cycle. According to R Manikandan, deputy general manager, product group head, IT products, LG, notebook users have generally felt constrained in terms of mobility due to the low average battery life of two to three hours. The new range of notebooks thus address one of the most serious issues of notebook users—battery life.

The worldwide notebook market is estimated at $2.5 billion by 2006. IDC has predicted that the Indian notebook market is heading to 1,20,000 units, out of which 30 percent (36,000 units) will be governed by Centrino-based notebooks. “We aim to capture at least 20 percent of this Centrino-notebook market (7,200 units) in 2004,” reveals Manikandan.

To ramp up its channel for selling these notebooks, LG will utilise its existing retail outlets spread across the length and breadth of the country. “We will also add new corporate resellers and value-added resellers to make sure that we lead this market from the front,” says Manikandan.

The company also has plans to enter the mid-range notebooks market.