Laptops that break sub-20K barrier

Planning to buy a laptop? However, budget is a constraint. Worry not. Most laptop makers today have models suiting all budgets.
While you can get a swanky Acer laptop for Rs 50,000, you can also get one for Rs 20,000. Though the latter may not match the pricier model in looks and some specs, but is surely good enough for most computing needs.
Here's looking into some budget laptops.

Xentis Xuva T14WN
Kolkata-based, Xenitis Infotech has launched a laptop priced at Rs 14,990.
The laptop called Xuva XC 200 is configured with Intel Celeron 2Ghz (550), 512 MB RAM, 120 GB HD, DVD, Card Reader, SIS chipset & & 13.3" WXGA LCD.
Few months back the company had launched another low-priced laptop Xuva T14WN for Rs 19,900. Powered by Intel Celeron processor, the laptop targets students and entry-level professionals.
Xuva T14WN comes with Intel Celeron M 14.Ghz processor, Intel 945 GM Chip Set, 256 MB RAM and 80 GB hard drive.
With 14.1-inch WXGA LCD screen, the laptop comes with a 3-in-one card reader. The company is one of the pioneers in low-cost computing, in 2005 Xenitis Infotech introduced a sub-Rs 10,000 PC.
The Rs 1,000 crore electronics and motorbike maker is known for launching range of products that aim to rewrite the price barriers in its operating segments.


Asus 7-inch Eee PC
ASUS in partnership with Intel and Microsoft launched ASUS Eee PC model in India.
The laptop comes with a 4GB solid state disk, 512MB DDR2 memory, 3 USB slots and microSD card.
Priced at Rs 18,000, the Eee PC works on Linux operating system but is Windows XP compatible.
Weighing 0.92 kg, the Eee PC comes with built-in WLAN connectivity, flash-based storage capacity, built-in 0.3 megapixel webcam and over 40 built-in applications.
The solid-state disk design based on built-in flash memory gives the Eee PC shock-proof advantage over the traditional notebook PCs.
However, the laptop lacks CD/DVD drive.

ACi ultra-mini
Mumbai-based computer assembling company, Allied Computers International (Asia) launched ACi Ethos 7 for Rs 14,999.
Part of ACi ultra-mini, it features VIA 1.0 GHz CPU, 512 MB RAM, 40 GB HDD, Webcam and is WiFi-enabled. Weighing 950 gms, the laptop comes with a 7-inch TFT screen.
The company uses aluminum body as against fiber or plastic, which helps in cutting costs. The laptop can be up-graded to 2GB RAM and 120 GB HDD storage.
ACi came to India in 2002 and was recently listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange. The fifteen-year old company was founded in the United Kingdom 15 years ago by a non resident Indian Hirji Kantibhai Patel.

HCL MiLeap
Indian hardware manufacturer HCL Infosystems launched an ultra portable range of laptops with mobile Internet computing under Rs 15,000.
The laptops called HCL MiLeap X and Y Series have been designed exclusively for India.
HCL already has an existing range of its laptops called Leaptop. The entry-level laptop however does not have a hard disk and runs on Linux, though Microsft Vista can be added in the high-end Y Series.
Like Classmate PC from Intel, the two new models have 7 inch screen size and weigh under-one kg. But there have been modifications made and customisation done for the product to suit to the needs of other user segments than just students.
Despite the price, the new range offers a full PC functionality with Internet experience unlike Classmate, and at a price much lower than Classmate.
The price of MiLeap X Series starts at Rs 13,990 and is available in both flash-based and disk based storage versions. Its design makes it dustproof, shock-proof and durable just like Classmate.
Both the models have network ports, are Wi-Fi ready, have the option for a data card and are available with GUI-enabled Linux OS.

HP mini-laptop
Computer giant Hewlett-Packard too has entered the low-cost space with the launch of 2133 Mini-Note PC, which has a starting price of less than $500.
The machines start at under $500 for a Linux-based model. Prices go up for Windows Vista models with faster processors.
With 8.9-in diagonal WXGA display, the laptop is designed for the education market in North America, Europe and parts of Asia.
It is also aimed at low-end business travelers. Weighing less than 3 pounds, the laptop has a single-core C7-M microprocessor from Taiwan-based Via Technologies Inc which comes in clock speeds up to 1.6 gigahertz.
Other features include webcam and Bluetooth wireless technologies. However, Mini-Note lacks optical drive for ingesting DVDs and CD-ROMs.

Acer Aspire 3680
Acer India launched Aspire 3680 laptop series in the Indian Market which is one of the lowest priced notebook from the Taiwan-based company.
Aspire 3680 series comes with Celeron M 430 (1.73 GHz) or above, 256 MB memory, 14.1" wide screen and combo drive. The laptop uses a Linux operating system.
The Acer Aspire 3680 series was launched at a price of approx Rs 19,999.

Courtesy: Indiatimes News Network

Most expensive cell phones

Ever thought that a phone can cost a whopping Rs 4 crore? Not one, but there are many phones who breach the crore-mark. These limited-edition phones adorn the wallets and pockets of who's who from the corporate and glamour world. Studded with diamonds and precious stones, these gold/platinum plated cell phones rival each other in being the most expensive phones. Here's looking into the phones that pride themselves for their exclusivity.

Le Million, GoldVish

Goldvish Le million made it to the Guinness Book of World Records for being the most expensive phone. The hand-crafted cell phone made of 18-carat white gold, mounted with 120-carat VVS-1 graded diamonds. The phone comes in platinum or white and yellow solid gold studded with diamonds. The phone has a TFT display and supports 176x220 pixels. The phone has Bluetooth, Java, EDGE, WAP and USB port. The phone was first introduced in September 2006 in Europe at the Millionaire Fair. There are only 100 of these phones made and it is only available on special request. GoldVish also make the ‘Illusion', which comes in 15 different incarnations, encrusted with diamonds. The phone is priced at $1,000,000.

Apple iPhone diamond

Apple's top-selling gadget iPhone too has a diamond Avtaar, courtesy London-based designer Alexander Amosu. Amosu created gave iphone its diamond look. The phone has 420 cut diamonds with a total of 5.65 carats. The ornate iPhone comes in steel, 18 carat white or yellow gold, with options of white, black or pink sapphire diamonds. The diamond-encrusted Apple iPhone by Amosu comes with one-year free international concierge service. The phone is available at $41,000 approximately. Amosu is also the man behind Nokia's limited edition N95 (8GB).

Nokia 8800 Arte

Cell phone maker Nokia last year launched two third-generation (3G) 8800 series mobile phones, 8800 Arte and 8800 Sapphire Arte. The phone brings 3G capabilities to the Nokia 8800 series. Priced at $1,350, Nokia 8800 Arte comes with a 3.2 megapixel auto focus camera and 8x digital zoom. For data sync, the phone offers a microUSB connector. Other features include 2.0" QVGA 240x320 pixels, OLED display with up to 16 million colours, anti-fingerprint coating on metal and glass and 1 GB built-in memory space. Tapping the phone twice reveals an analogue clock. The Tri-band phone is made of exclusive metal including glass and metal. The phone has exclusive ringtones composed by internationally-renowned DJ duo Kruder & Dorfmeister.

Vertu Monogram

On the occasion of its tenth anniversary, luxury phone maker, Vertu, added another collection to its posh range, Vertu Monogram. Based on Vertu's Collection series, the phone is inspired by the flowing, curvilinear designs of Art Noveau. The phone comes in five variants -- Pewter, green, red, sky blue and cerise coloured leathers. The phone's body is covered with special leather with Vertu V monogram.

Blackberry Pearl Diamond

Here's another designer phone from Alexander Amosu. Amosu has given a gold and diamond look to Blackberry Pearl. The limited edition Blackberry Pearl comes in three variants. Pearl Gold Edition offers choice of solid white gold, yellow gold or platinum. Pearlific comes in solid gold with intricate diamond pattern designs. The Pearl Diamond is modeled in solid gold and hand cut diamonds. Also, diamonds of Pearl Diamond are recyclable and reusable. So, whenever the user wants to discard their cell phone, he will just have to transfer the glittery rocks on to a something newer. The phone is priced at approx $90,000.

Vertu Ascent Ti

British-based manufacturer and retailer of luxury mobile phones, Vertu launched high-end Vertu Ascent Ti in India. Priced at $6,628, Ascent Ti is a quad-band 3G handset that comes with a 3 mega pixel camera and flash. In Ascent Ti, 'Ti' stands for Titanium, a non-corrosive metal with the highest strength-to-weight ratio, plus the ability to withstand extreme temperatures. Ascent Ti comes in three colours: Black or Red leather with a Black ceramic pillow, or Brown with a Silver ceramic pillow. The phone has a scratch-resistant Sapphire crystal face made of the same material that is used for the camera lens.

Mobiado Stealth

Luxury mobile phone maker Mobiado has added a new edition to its luxury mobile phone range. Inspired by military stealth aircrafts, the 3G Mobiado Stealth is made of a single block of aluminium. Based on Mobiado's Luminoso phone, its outer aluminium body is anodised to give it a matte finish. The phone has a 2 megapixel camera, large QVGA display, video camera, support for microSD card up to 2GB, surround sound through stereo speakers, push to talk, Bluetooth, speaker phone and a music player that supports MP3, MP4, eAAC+ and AAC music files. The phone's keys are made of stainless steel and the front screen and camera window are made up of sapphire crystal. It is priced at pound 1,450. Courtesy: Indiatimes News Network