With the advent of newer technologies, style and fashion are also being embedded on premier notebook computers which are coming into the mainstream for reasonable prices. And this trend is becoming more visible in the Indian market as well. Lifestyle computing is the way to go forward with more of in-print designs and not mere mundane colours. Personalisation is the growing buzzword for notebook sellers and ?fashiontronics? is no more alien to the Indian consumer market.
HP, being the market leader, has already established that technology can be personalised. By introducing the lifestyle range of computers, HP introduced a paradigm change in user preferences. Says Shubhodip Patel, head of consumer marketing, Personal Systemsgroup, HP India: ??Gadgets are now more a reflection of lifestyle or as they say an extension of an individual?s personality. Today style and personal expression are a part of our digital lifestyle. HP has taken this one step ahead by fashion being reflected in our product designs. For instance, the imprint designs launched recently (Verve, Thrive and Mesh) take care of our consumers? personal styles and design preferences.
With the launch of HP dv3000 and the mesh imprints collection, HP has redefined lifestyle computing. The imprint designs on different hues on the notebooks give a personalised touch, he adds. The company is always looking to raise its style quotient
In fact, the whole industry is following HP?s move. Agrees Girish Bhalla, director, consumer marketing, Dell India: ?Dell?s XPS range of products has wowed critics around the world for its blend of performance and design. Our customers consider it a work of craftsmanship that is a natural extension of their discerning lifestyle?. The Dell Inspiron range of laptops offer vibrant and fashionable designs with the ability to choose from eight different colors, and have proved to be a great hit with the Indian consumer.
??Our most popular laptop in the Inspiron product range is the Inspiron 1525 which also offers a choice of three high-gloss design patterns (Chill, Street and Blossom), in addition to the eight color choices,? he adds.
Incidentally, the notebook PC shipment to home and SOHO (small office home office) grew at 166% during the third quarter over the same period last year and constituted 43% of total notebook sales. While young professionals, students and women are on their radar, PC vendors are primarily eyeing the youth. ??By bringing together unique designs and innovative and cutting edge technology HP is the company that has truly made the computer personal again. The company set out to make this happen years ago with its global campaign ?Computer is personal again?. The campaign has revolutionized the whole PC industry in terms of the offerings for the customers,?? Patel said. The company is set to launch its special lines of products, targeting women and the youth in India. HP will launch exclusive product lines and marketing campaigns for women and the youth in different colours and patterns.
Taking forward this association with lifestyle and women, HP is planning to launch a new range of designer notebooks. It will be launching 6-7 new designer notebooks very soon. With the offerings from HP, these notebooks are fast becoming a style statement among the women.
Going by the trend in 2007, notebook PC shipments accounted for over a fourth of the total client PC shipments. This healthy trend points to the maturing of the Indian IT market and shift into a new phase of growth.
The notebook PC shipments touching 1.8 million units (as against 0.98 million units in 2006), reinforces the increasing acceptance of laptops as the preferred choice for a large number of first time PC buyers.
