(19 February 2008 8:00 pm)

BANGALORE: Japanese electronic major Fujitsu showcased four premium high-end models from its range of notebook PCs in Bangalore today.

The models include Fujitsu’s LifeBook S6510 (3.5G) which has a 14.1 inch screen fitted on a 13.3 inch chassis to help achieve a smaller form factor and lower weight; LifeBook T7230 tablet PC; the LifeBook 7211 for the enterprise level; and the LifeBook T2010 – reportedly the lightest A4 convertible tablet PC series.

In addition to these four products, Fujitsu also revealed the smallest and lightest tablet with 3.5G - the U1010. In India, products will be offered with and without the 3.5G option.

The company’s LifeBook range is 100 per cent manufactured in Japan, unlike other notebook and laptop manufacturers who source their products from low-cost centres. The other major range under the brand name Esprimo Mobile is manufactured 100 per cent out of Fujitsu’s plant in Germany.

Overall, Fujitsu has a wide range of offerings for the Indian market with prices ranging from around Rs 30,000 to Rs 150,000. Sales and after sales service is handled by 37 branches of Redington India as well seven Fujisan outlets in India. Fujitsu also plans to tie up with large-format retail outlets such as Croma.

At present, Fujitsu India’s mass media communications in India are limited to the print media – magazines, newspapers including twelve to fifteen regional newspapers, outdoor billboards, in-shop retail branding, etc.

Fujitsu PC Asia Pacific associate director of business development Ivan Kam revealed to indiantelevision.com that during the last six months his company has spent around $1 million (Rs 40 million) towards these efforts as well as sops and promotional efforts through its dealer network in India. Kam’s target is a one per cent market share of the premium laptop and notebook PC market in India during the first year, three per cent in the second and five per cent in the third year.

Depending on the company’s performance in India by the end of this fiscal (31 March 2008), Kam has TV and radio ads on his radar as a part of his company’s mass communications programme. Creative work and media buying for Fujitsu is done by Mumbai-based Ind Advertising.