Microsoft offers education PC for Rs 21,000

New Delhi, Jun 27 (UNI) Global leader in software for personal and business computing Microsoft today announced the launch IQ PC at an entery-level cost of Rs 21,000 targeting students and parents.

''Through this offering, we want to make technology more relevant to the students at affordable price,'' said Microsoft India Chairman Ravi Venkatesan.

The cost of education is very high as parents have to spend on tuitions and other classes and moreover the education quality is not good, said Mr Venkatesan adding, IQ PC will provide consistant quality education to students and guide parents.

IQ is combination of an online and offline content tied into all aspects of a students' learning process and growth, he added.

Aimed at school going children from kindergarten to class 12, the PC will be built on AMD hardware in partnership with Zenith.

It will include Windows, office/work, encarta, student 2007 and education solutions from partners such as Brilliant Tutorials, Junior Achievement, Pacsoft, Karadi tales , Gurujiworld, Edurite and TutorVista.

For online content, the company has also announced the launch of 'MSN IQ Beta Educational Channel' through which the students can access curriculum from kindergarten to class 12, online tutoring and counseling, competition exam coaching and entertainment.

Microsoft has partnered with Sify Corporation, a chain of internet cafes to enable students to have online access to Microsoft's content, Mr Venkatesan said.

Initially, the company will launch IQ PC and educational channel in Bangalore and Pune starting July 1, 2007 and will roll out to the rest of country by November.

UNI