Microsoft, HCL launch cheapest ultra-portable laptop

Mumbai, Apr 11 (UNI) Microsoft Corporation India and HCL Infosystems today announced the launch of world's cheapest ultra portable laptop powered with ''Windows XP Home'', and two more joint initiatives in the country.

The companies plan to create a joint Centre of Excellence (CoE) for the development of vertical specific customised solution frame works for India and generate an industry ready work force certified in Microsoft technology at HCL Career Development Centers, HCL Infosystems Chairman Ajai Chowdhry said while addressing a joint press conference here.

He said the newly launched Rs 16,990 Windows OS-enabled laptop under Mi Leap brand of HCL laptops will be one of the cheapest and also the first product of the joint association, marking a green-IT initiative as it is a low energy consuming device with 20 per cent less energy consumption than any other laptop.

Microsoft Corporation Chief Operating Officer Kevin Turner said the broadband enabled Mi Leap H Series, which runs on Windows XP Home, has a 30 GB HDD and is a complete mobile-laptop designed specifically for the Indian market at lowest possible price.

Both the companies, in association, will establish CoE with over 500 software professionals to create design and deploy Microsoft technologies based solution frame works across various industrial verticals including telecom, banking and finance, retail and SMEs, Mr Chowdhry said.

Apart from this, under the strategic alliance, an agreement has been signed by the two companies to train and certify 50,000 students in Microsoft technologies in the next three years from 100 training centers across the country, he added.

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