The low-cost PC segment in India is hotting up, now with global technology major Asus jumping into the fray with the launch of its Eee PC, priced at Rs 18,000. This follows similar launches by HCL, which launched its MiLeap X series laptops that were priced at around Rs 14,000.

The laptop was earlier launched across many countries in the country, and in India it compares with a average notebook price of around Rs 40,000.

The PC weighs less than a kilogram, and the company is positioning the product for school children, housewives, senior citizens and teenagers.

Launching the product, Francis Kao, product manager (Notebooks) for Asus India said: "The worldwide acceptance of this product is symbolic of its simplicity, robust build quality and user-friendliness. Although it is primarily aimed at school children and teenagers, even other user groups have shown a lot of interest in the product."

The PC provides users with a comprehensive Internet application based on three Es: Easy to learn, work, play; Excellent Internet experience and excellent mobile computing experience. This is how the name of product was derived.

The product has been a run away hit across the world, and Kao expects a similar kind of interest in the country also.

The PC has an Intel CPU and chipset, and works on a built-in flash-memory, 512 MB DDR2 memory, 300K pixels video camera and WLAN. However, it does not sport an optical drive, while the company says a drive can be added on, if the user wishes to.

It runs on a Linux operating system and does not have Windows on it. However, Kao said that the company is working on introducing Windows suite on the PC. The PC is being launched in two colours, Galaxy Black and Pearl White.

Launched only in Mumbai – rollout in other cities is slated for March – the PC will be available from February at Croma stores in Juhu and Malad, and e-zones.