NEC’s local unit rolls out new computers
NEC Philippines, Inc. launched a new generation of designer notebooks and is expecting to roll out another notebook and a hybrid personal computer next month. On Thursday, the local unit of the Japan-based NEC Corp. formally introduced to the Philippine shores a line of NEC VERSA notebooks — the VERSA E6310 which comes in brown, and the white VERSA E6300. The 2.49-kilogram VERSA E6310 and E6300 have 14.1-inch monitors and run on Intel Core2 Duo Processor, which works with an enhanced sleep state and smart cage technology. Next month, NEC would also introduce the VERSA S3300 notebook and NEC Powermate P5000 hybrid PC. The VERSA S3300 is a two-kilogram notebook with a 13.3-inch liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor and a silver and magnesium alloy chassis. The Powermate P5000 is a four-kilogram all-in-one PC with a 17-inch high brightness TV quality dual lamp LCD packed in a slim chassis. The unit is ideal for "infotainment." The prices of the new computers vary depending on specifications, with the NEC VERSA E6300 having a starting price of P69,900. The NEC VERSA E6310, meanwhile, goes for at least P79,900, while the VERSA S3300 goes for P59,900. The Powermate P5000 has a starting price of P79,900. "This all-in-one Powermate P5000 adds not only to the beauty of the house but, also brings personal digital media to individuals with everything that is needed stored in this simple and easy-to-use machine," Makoto Iwasaki, marketing director of NEC Computers Asia, said in a statement. NEC Philippines Executive Vice-President Leonardo H. Santos said in an interview that the company banks on the new products to stir more interest from the local market. "Our share [in the total PC and laptop market locally] is very small. It’s quite negligible right now," Mr. Santos said, adding that it is less than a single digit percentage. Mr. Santos, however, pointed to the strong economy and growing demand for PCs especially in the corporate and government spaces to drive NEC’s growth. "With our range of innovative products, we really intend to serve the country’s key industries, particularly the burgeoning BPO [business process outsourcing] sector and the government." Last year, revenues from the PC and laptop sales accounted for 25% of NEC Philippines’ total revenue. Mr. Santos said they intend to double this contribution this year. - Marian Grace S. Ramos/BusinessWorld