Microsoft, HCL to Launch World's Cheapest Laptop

Microsoft Corp India and HCL Infosystems Ltd have announced a set of joint initiatives, including the launch of world's cheapest Windows enabled laptop computer and the setting up of a center of excellence (CoE) to create a customized solution framework for India.

Making the announcement in Mumbai on Friday, Ajai Chowdhry, chairman and CEO of HCL, said, "The laptop will be launched under HCL's MiLeap brand and will cost Rs 16,990."

Microsoft Corp COO Kevin Turner said that Microsoft and HCL have partnered to promote the use of IT in India for over two decades. According to him, the CoE will have over 500 software professionals who will create and deploy Microsoft technologies in various sectors, such as banking, telecom, defence, and railways.

Microsoft India chairman Ravi Venkatesan said the agreement between the two software groups entails the training and subsequent certifying of 50,000 students on Microsoft technologies in a span of three years.

"The batches will be trained in 100 'Career Development Centres' that will be set up by HCL. The curriculum used will be the Microsoft Official Curriculum," he said.

Venkatesan said this training will help the Indian IT industry retain its competitive edge, as well as supply the projected need of 2.3 million skilled computer workers that may arise due to the country's emergence as a preferred outsourcing destination.

Citing a Nasscom Strategic Review 2008 projection, Venkatesan said domestic IT services spending is estimated to grow at about 43 percent in 2008-09, with all signs of an increase in sophistication.

"The data indicates that CoE will become a big business enabler in the coming years," he added.