Lenovo Group Ltd. said it plans to offer a low-cost "netbook" computer, priced at $399.Lenovo's decision comes after top PC makers including Hewlett-Packard Co., Dell Inc. and Acer Inc. launched cheaper notebook PCs that sell for as little as $299. The companies are hoping to tap first-time computer users in emerging markets.
The IdeaPad S10, designed to be a second or an introductory computer, will perform simple tasks such as surfing the Internet, emailing, listening to music and running basic applications. The keyboard will be 85% of the size of a full-function notebook PC's keyboard.
Lenovo plans to offer the IdeaPad computer in two configurations, one with 512 megabytes of memory and an 80-gigabyte hard drive and the other with one gigabyte of memory and a 160-gigabyte hard drive.
Lenovo also plans netbook models designed specifically for students and teachers.
Wall Street Journal; August 5, 2008
