HCL Info launches cheapest PC

In little over a year of introducing personal computers, PC, at Rs 14,990 plus taxes, HCL Infosystems has launched another one at Rs 12,990 plus taxes. What is more, you could even buy it in installments of Rs 360 a month. It's a computer that comes with a 1GHz processor, a 30 MB hard disk, 128 MB RAM, a 15-inch colour monitor and even a 52 x CD ROM drive.

Describing the product - which is clearly the cheapest branded PC in the country - as the Maruti 800 of computers, Chairman and CEO, HCL Infosystems Ajai Chowdhry said it would give assemblers a run for their money. 

He told CNBC-TV18, "It is aimed at first time users in small towns and villages."

Chowdhry added, "We have a very sincere belief, that in this country the bottom of the pyramid is where the market lies. 70% of India lives in small towns and villages. So, if we don't create products for them, how will we ever grow the market in a big way?"

The catch, however, is that the PC runs on a processor made by Via - a competitor of Intel - which HCL Infosystems claims, is just as stable and dependable.