Micromax forays into notebook segment; eyes 10 per cent market share

New Delhi: Foraying into the laptop segment, country's handset maker Micromax today said it aims to garner 10 per cent market share in the next 12-18 months. Micromax, which will compete with the likes of HP, Dell and Lenovo, has priced its 'Lapbook' for Rs 13,999 that will be available from October 9 online at Snapdeal.

"Micromax has always strived to bring the best technology innovations to close the gap between consumer needs and available devices," Micromax Chief Marketing Officer Shubhajit Sen told PTI. The Canvas Lapbook addresses the need of affordable computing, in line with the PM's Digital India initiative, he added. "With our entry into the laptop category, we aim to drive the growth of the category and garner a market share of 10 per cent in 12-18 months," he said. According to industry body MAIT, the notebook market declined 15 per cent to 5.81 million units in 2014-15 from 6.83 million units in 2013-14, impacted by burgeoning smartphone sales.

However, the industry body has forecast a 17 per cent growth in notebook sales to 6.80 million in 2015-16. Previously, Micromax has launched a Laptab that features a tablet with a detachable keyboard. Of the total PC market (desktops and notebooks), HP was the market leader with 25.6 per cent share, followed by Dell - 22.1 per cent, Lenovo - 15.8 per cent and Acer - 11.5 per cent in 2014, according to data from research firm IDC. Powered by Intel quadcore processor, the Lapbook will come pre-loaded with the latest Windows 10 operating system. "The Lapbook is designed to cater the needs of young India in Tier II and III markets," he said.

The Lapbook comes with dual speakers, 11.6-inch display, 32GB inbuilt storage (expandable up to 64GB), 5,000 mAh battery and, a seven-day on-site service. Micromax also launched the second generation of Laptap, priced at Rs 17,999, that will go on sale on Amazon India portal from October 13.