HCL Infosystems to launch 3G tablet in August

IT major HCL Infosystems on Tuesday said it will launch a third generation (3G) tablet PC in August this year for around Rs 18,000.

"The code name of the product is Y2 and it will be launched in August," HCL Infosystems executive VP and head (mobility) Gautam Advani said. 

He said the company enjoys 15 per cent market share in the overall tablet market while in the sub-Rs 10,000 category, it is around 50 per cent.

HCL Infosystems entered the tablet market in October last year with the launch of 'Me Tab X1' at Rs 10,990. The company launched another tablet 'U1' priced at Rs 7,999 in April this year.

Advani said 'Me tablets' have been in the market for eight months and the company is getting good responce from consumers.

HCL Infosystems today launched tow models under its beanstalk range of AIO (All in One) PCs in a price range of Rs 37,908-Rs 33,696 and smart series laptop at Rs 20,990.

Powered by second generation Intel core processors, both models sports features like a 47

cm LED backlit and anti glare display.

"HCL Infosystems has a strong tradition in consumer computing products and today with the unveiling of the first set of consumer computing 2012 products we are taking another significant step as a manufacturer of computing devices," HCL Infosystems VP and head consumer computing, Princy Bhatnagar said.

Asked if the company will bid for manufacturing 'Aakash 2', the enhanced version of world's cheapest tablet PC,  Advani said the company can decide only after seeing specifications for the upgraded version.

Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal had said that specifications for 'Aakash 2' would be out by the end of June.          'Aakash' was launched in October last year by Sibal.

It comes with a price tag of Rs 2,276 only whereas high-end tablet PCs cost anything between Rs 25,000 and Rs 40,000.

However, ever since the launch, the project has been running behind schedule.

'Aakash' is be supplied to students at a subsidised rate of Rs 1,500 and the government is keen to launch the upgraded version at similar prices as its predecessor.