HP unveils new finance plan for PCs

The $31 billion computing major Hewlett Packard (HP) is going aggressive on the home PC market. The company has introduced a finance scheme whereby consumers can take home an Intel Pentium 4 PC for an upfront payment of just Rs 5,550.

The new finance scheme is currently available on two models "" Compaq Presario SR 1030IL- powered by Intel P4 processor 2.6 ghz, priced at Rs 29,990 and Compaq Presario S6020IL- AMD Athalon XP processor 2000, priced at Rs 21,990.

HP has tied up with Bajaj Auto Finance for offering the schemes.

The finance scheme allows consumers to own an Inter P4 computer for a monthly instalment of Rs 924 for 48 months with a down payment of Rs 5,550. The Compaq Presario S6020IL is available for an EMI of Rs 616 for 48 months and down payment of Rs 3,899.

P Krishnakumar, country category manager, Consumer Desktops, Hewlett Packard India Pvt Ltd, said: "We not only want to retain our leadership status in the home PC segment, but also want to gain higher market share. Our target has been to dent the assembled market by offering high feature PCs at comparable prices. The difference between assembled PCs and our products is not more than Rs 1,000-Rs 3,000."

HP is planning to increase the presence of its Compaq Presario range from 228 cities to 270 cities in 2004.

The company has also decided to increase its direct seller partners from 580 to 700 this year and has embarked on a 20 city roadshows starting this month.