Pinoy firm develops notebook with Intel’s processor

CEBU CITY, Philippines - It may sound trite but in this age of technology, Filipinos can now do what other people in more developed economies can, including manufacturing notebooks that are equally advanced as those of more popular global brands. Filipino company Neo Manufacturing and Services Inc. launched in Cebu City yesterday its new products, which are targeted at different market segments. “Our vision is to develop notebooks for every Filipino," said Ernel Esplanada, Neo area sales manager for the provinces. “We come up with notebooks that are priced according to the financial capabilities of Filipinos." In a forum with members of the academe yesterday, Neo launched the Explore X1, a netbook (Internet-centric notebook) that is designed for children. Explore has a 512 memory, 30 gigabit hard disk drive, Intel 900 megahertz mobile processor and Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity), among others. It can drop from a height of one meter without being destroyed and is spill-proof. At a suggested retail price of P16,999, it is Neo’s cheapest product yet. In a press conference, Esplanada presented the latest of Neo’s Empriva series whose prices range from P36,000 to P51,000, depending on features and capabilities. He also presented the Neo Basic, Tablet series and Elan, the first notebook to be powered by Intel’s 45 nanometer processor. Wowie Wong of Intel Philippines assured that despite the capabilities of the 45 nanometer processor and the number of transistors it carries, it consumes less power than previous types. A 45-nanometer processor holds 820 million transistors, which is the basic element of computing. Wong said the Neo Elan is the first time for Intel to extend its latest architecture in entry level notebooks. All of Neo’s latest notebooks have Microsoft Windows Vista (Home Premium) operating system. Explore uses Windows XP, Starter Edition. Esplanada said Filipinos should be proud of Neo notebooks as it is assembled by Filipinos based in the Philippines. While Neo is not as known as most global brands, he said that the components of its notebooks are made in China like all the other more known brands. Elvi Suficiencia, executive vice president of MDR Microware Sales Inc., said Neo buys notebook components from one of the top five global makers. “Neo is as good as the more known global brands. (Besides) any (notebook or computer) brand, which carries the names of Intel and Microsoft, is good," he said, adding that the two other companies (Intel and Microsoft) would not partner with a brand that is not reliable. “Neo’s penetration in the Visayas and Mindanao, at entry level (meaning more affordable), is very good," he said. He also said that since Neo’s notebooks are affordable, the company can be credited for bringing down the prices of global brands. Considering the sales growth rates of desktop computers and notebooks, Suficiencia said the percentage of penetration of the two computer types will reach the same level by the end of this year. In an interview, Esplanada told Sun.Star Cebu that Neo will open its own showroom and service center at the SM Northwaing. He said Neo’s contractor will start building the interiors of the showroom as soon as SM has completed the development of the space allotted for the notebook manufacturer. “We will display our various products there for people who want to have a feel of our notebooks. But we won’t sell anything there so as not to compete with our dealers," he said. - Sun.Star Cebu