Notebook prices tumble on tablets

Planning to buy a laptop? You could get one without burning a hole in your pocket. A no-frills mini-laptop now starts at Rs 14,700 while a fully-loaded one is available for Rs 19,500.

"The laptop prices have come down by about 20% in the past six months due to technology innovation and cut-throat competition," Sarabjeet Kaur, director of Arrows Computers, a computer store chain told HT. The rising popularity of the iPad and other tablet computers has also added to the competition, say dealers.

"Technology is changing so fast that what was new six months ago is old now. Manufacturers won't just throw away old models, but will sell them at reduced prices," says Gambhir Singh, who runs a multi-brand laptop outlet in Pragati House, Nehru Place.

For instance, an HP netbook that used to cost Rs 19,500 six months ago now costs Rs 15,700.

Experts say competition could intensify when Google launches its $300 Chromebook in India, though its launch date is not know. Google India spokesperson Paroma Roy Chowdhary said, "I can't comment on future launches."

Some experts feel the popularity of tablet computers has nothing to do with falling laptop prices.

CyberMedia Research lead analyst Sumanta Mukherjee said, "The decline in personal computer prices in the past few quarters may be attributed to a general long term trend of decline in average sales values."

So, what is the price outlook six months from now? Down. Definitely!