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