'PC for India' in Britain?

British consumers could be the unexpected beneficiaries of the launch of Indian-made computers that cost as little as 130 pounds.

British consumers could be the unexpected beneficiaries of the launch of Indian-made computers that cost as little as 130 pounds.

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Computers like the super-cheap 'PC for India' desktops, which cost only Rs 9,900 in India, could be marketed in Britain, according to the Taiwanese company VIA Technologies, which provides the computer's microchips.

"Computers in Europe are way too expensive right now. There's no excuse for it," Ravi Pradhan, VIA's manager in India, was quoted as saying by the Daily Telegraph.

"I'm going for meetings in London next week to discuss with potential suppliers how to get cheaper computers to market. We are already selling in Australia for as little as $499 (215 pounds) and prices could come down even further."

The 'PC for India' computers are manufactured by HCL Infosystems.

However, the editor of a computer magazine told the newspaper it was unlikely the same model would be sold in Britain.

"You can't make and sell a PC that most people in Britain would want today for 130 pounds," said Dylan Armbrust, editor of Computeractive magazine. "I've seen a number of budget PCs come out and they never do very well. Most people want a bit of power and performance."