Dell offers award-winning products for retail consumers

Novia D. Rulistia, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Global systems and services company Dell Inc. is now targeting Indonesia's consumer segment by launching four types of laptop computer systems and slim-build desktops, in cooperation with long-time partner PT Metrodata E Business (MEB).

"This is a great way for us to connect to Indonesian consumers we may have not reached in the past," said Dell's regional managing editor, Andreas Diantoro, on Thursday at the company's product launching at Wisma BCA in Jakarta.

The new products are the award-winning XPS M1330 and the Inspiron 1420 laptops, as well as the Inspiron 530 and 530s slim-build desktops, with prices ranging from US$600 to $1,200.

Dell launched these products in Malaysia and Singapore at the end of last year, and it plans to penetrate other countries in Southeast Asia after Indonesia.

"Notebooks will grow fast, as supporting facilities, like wifi and hotspots, are made more and more widely accessible," Andreas said.

Previously in Indonesia, Dell Inc. provided services and products for corporations working in several areas, including the mining, oil, manufacturing and telecommunications industries.

"Notebook sales in Indonesia have been growing higher than in Malaysia and Singapore. We are targeting 10 percent of the laptops on sale in the Indonesian market," said Dell's country manager Megawaty Khie.

The Indonesian Computer Corporation Association (Apkomindo) reported that 60 percent of the 1.5 million computer units sold last year were notebooks. In 2006, notebook sales made up 50 percent of total computer sales.

MEB president director Agus Honggo Widodo said the company planned to offer the consumer products in five major cities in Indonesia -- Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, Yogyakarta and Medan.

"We are delighted to have been chosen as Dell's partner in reaching out to the consumer segment in Indonesia," said Agus, whose company has been Dell's authorized distributor since 2002.

Agus said he was confident the new products would soon become the preferred products of young professionals and small office and home office users.

Market observer International Data Corporation, in its Worldwide Quarterly PC tracker, predicted that laptop sales would reach 50 percent of total sales of computers in the world this year.

Apkomindo predicted in January that computer sales in Indonesia would reach 3 million units this year, with notebooks accounting for at least 65 percent of sales and personal computers 35 percent.

Indonesia's market for notebooks is currently dominated by international brands like Acer, Toshiba and Hewlett-Packard. (lva)