Sony, HP slash prices of Windows 8 laptops
Sony and HP have cut prices of Windows 8-based laptops in India by up to Rs 2,000.
BANGALORE:
Amidst slowing personal computer sales and lukewarm consumer interest
in Microsoft's latest operating system, at least two device-makers have
cut prices of Windows 8-based laptops in India.
This comes just days after PC-makers in the United States dropped prices to combat slow sales for such devices. Sony and Hewlett-Packard have dropped the prices of laptops based on Microsoft's touch-based operating system by as much as Rs 2,000 over the past two weeks, according to leading multi-brand retailers.
While Sony called it "routine," HP declined to comment citing the silent period ahead of its earnings announcement on May 21. But analysts said these price cuts are aimed at pushing sales.
"For PC makers, it is really a question of survival," said Sumanta Mukherjee, analyst at market research firm Cybermedia Research. "With all the money now being spent on smart phones, PC firms expect price cuts to generate some fresh demand. Additionally, there hasn't been a huge interest for Windows 8-based PCs."
Windows 8 is the biggest attempt yet by the Seattle-based software company, which has dominated the PC market, to make its operating system more appealing as consumers are shifting preference from computers to touch-based mobile devices.
PC shipments in India barely grew in 2012 to 11 million, from 10.5 million units in the previous year. Global PC sales fell 6.4% to 89 million units, according to technology market researcher IDC. Launched in October last year, Windows 8 comes with a common touch-based interface for laptops, tablets and mobile phones. Over the past few quarters, device manufacturers have been betting on the success of Windows 8 to spur PC sales, which has been falling in most of developed markets.
But analysts said there is little evidence yet that Microsoft's latest software has had much influence among consumers. "A touch-based laptop with full functionality, in the Rs 30,000- Rs 35,000 price range might just be the trigger for Windows 8 in India," said Kiran Kumar, research manager at IDC.
Kumar said prices of Windows 8-based PCs were kept artificially inflated for a while as vendors tried to sell Windows 7 stock.
This comes just days after PC-makers in the United States dropped prices to combat slow sales for such devices. Sony and Hewlett-Packard have dropped the prices of laptops based on Microsoft's touch-based operating system by as much as Rs 2,000 over the past two weeks, according to leading multi-brand retailers.
While Sony called it "routine," HP declined to comment citing the silent period ahead of its earnings announcement on May 21. But analysts said these price cuts are aimed at pushing sales.
"For PC makers, it is really a question of survival," said Sumanta Mukherjee, analyst at market research firm Cybermedia Research. "With all the money now being spent on smart phones, PC firms expect price cuts to generate some fresh demand. Additionally, there hasn't been a huge interest for Windows 8-based PCs."
Windows 8 is the biggest attempt yet by the Seattle-based software company, which has dominated the PC market, to make its operating system more appealing as consumers are shifting preference from computers to touch-based mobile devices.
PC shipments in India barely grew in 2012 to 11 million, from 10.5 million units in the previous year. Global PC sales fell 6.4% to 89 million units, according to technology market researcher IDC. Launched in October last year, Windows 8 comes with a common touch-based interface for laptops, tablets and mobile phones. Over the past few quarters, device manufacturers have been betting on the success of Windows 8 to spur PC sales, which has been falling in most of developed markets.
But analysts said there is little evidence yet that Microsoft's latest software has had much influence among consumers. "A touch-based laptop with full functionality, in the Rs 30,000- Rs 35,000 price range might just be the trigger for Windows 8 in India," said Kiran Kumar, research manager at IDC.
Kumar said prices of Windows 8-based PCs were kept artificially inflated for a while as vendors tried to sell Windows 7 stock.
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