From Staff Reports
Taiwan-based Asustek Computer, a leading PC maker, will launch its much-awaited cheap computer this month, a laptop computer designed for the developing economies.
Developed in partnership with U.S. chip giant Intel Corp. (INTC), the laptop has a seven-inch screen that will come in two versions: One that will sell for about $199 and will be aimed at the developing economies, and will include some features that will make the device highly mobile, and a second, more-sophisticated version for the developed economies of the world that will sell for between $245 and $299, according to published reports.
“It will be a laptop that’s easy to learn, easy to play, and easy to work with … one targeting both the emerging and mature markets,” Asustek Chairman Jonney Shih told The Associated Press.
According to Shih, a team consisting of more than 500 Asustek engineers from Taiwan to China collaborated to develop the low-priced machine. It will carry the ASUS brand. But it won’t carry the Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) brand operating system – and will instead “open source” code, such as Linux.
According to The AP, this PC was part of a $1 billion Intel program aimed at developing a low-cost PC that could be sold in any market in the world. This “World Ahead” program has been under way for five years.