HCL yet to feel slowdown in PC sales in wake of slowdown

Bangalore, Nov 14 (UNI) The global financial crisis may have hit a number of sectors but India's information enabling and ICT System integration giant HCL Infosystems is yet to feel the heat.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the launch of 'Leaptop Series 39', a laptop range with thermals designed for India, HCL Executive Vice President George Paul said the company was yet to see any slowdown in PC sales though it would be prudent to be cautious.

"We have not seen any slowdown in PC sales till now. We have not come across any slowdown in PC purchases from from governments, industry and enterprises sectors, while it is true that there will be a drop in demand from the IT and ITeS space," he said.

HCL was yet to feel the heat because its share of sales from the IT and ITeS sector was small compared to the other three domains which had a share of more than two thirds. HCL sold 30 per cent of its PCs each to BSFI, government and IT and ITeS sector and other consumers the rest, he said.

"Besides we are strong in getting repeat orders as 70 per cent of our customers tend to buy our products when them either replace or make fresh purchases," he said.

Mr Paul said the laptop PC sales was coming down in the Indian market due to the increasing price difference between desktop and laptops, with the price of the former coming down during the last two quarters.

He said the PC sales was picking up really well in the tier II and tier III cities across the nation.

He said laptop penetration in India was at just 30 per thousand, while it was 100 per thousand in China and 700 per thousand in the US. India bought eight million PCs per annum and out of this laptops constituted 1.7 million and the remaining desktops.

"We expect this to even out in three years as laptop sales is bound to pick up," he added.

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