Notebook computer buyers have more choices<\/p>\n
Sudibyo M. Wiradji, Contributor, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Even though a desktop computer remains popular for individual
\nor office use, the laptop or notebook computers are becoming
\nincreasingly popular in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Despite its size and weight, a laptop offers specifications
\nand features comparable to those of desktop computers. For a
\nparticular series, the notebook has more features that you cannot
\nfind in a personal desktop computer.<\/p>\n
Laptops started to appear on the Indonesian market in the
\nearly 1990s and since then, the demand has grown significantly.<\/p>\n
Standard specifications of a laptop include processor, memory,
\nhardisk, built-in modem, connecting network and optical drive.<\/p>\n
New series of laptops of different brands now on the market
\nalso feature processors with Pentium 4, USP ports and bluetooth
\nand wifi wireless. The bluetooth & wifi wireless allow for the
\nconnections with a cellular phone without using a physical
\nconnection.<\/p>\n
This might explain partly why using a laptop is highly
\npreferable. An executive, for instance, might prefer using a
\nlaptop when he or she has to go somewhere to give a presentation
\nat a seminar or conference.<\/p>\n
It is no wonder that the demand for laptops, be it new or
\nsecond-hand, continues to rise. Laptop brands available in the
\nlocal market include Acer, Acus, Compaq, Dell, ECS, Extron,
\nFujitsu, IBM, MITAC, MUGEN, NEC, Prestigio, Sony, Toshiba,
\nTwinhead and Zyrex.<\/p>\n
Each brand has its own type or model and series but when
\nlinked to what customers really need, there seems to be an
\n'unwritten marketing perspective' that divides the laptop into
\n'economy', 'powerful' and 'full of technology' classes.<\/p>\n
Basically, what model or series of a laptop a customer wants
\nwill depend on his or her own needs. For instance, when a
\ncustomer uses a laptop mostly for writing, then he or she might
\ntake one from the \"economy\" class, which is cheaper than the ones
\nfrom the \"powerful\" or \"full of technology\" class.<\/p>\n
But when a customer uses a laptop for various purposes, such
\nas designing, programming or displaying pictures or graphics for
\npresentation, then he or she might take the one with \"full of
\ntechnology\" class.<\/p>\n
Computer traders said that when it came to hardware, the
\nmarket responded positively to laptops with smaller size and
\nlightness.<\/p>\n
Fujitsu of Japan, the producer of Notebook, Tablet PC and PDA,
\nrecently launched its new product series called Tablet PC, a
\nhandwriting recognition device.<\/p>\n
Introduced in Singapore in November 2003, Tablet PC entered
\nIndonesian market in early 2003. It can convert handwriting and
\nhuman voices into text. Most also have an infrared connection
\ncapability, no physical connection, (i.e. cables or cords) is
\nneeded. It is only 1.48 kg in weight, with display screen
\nmeasuring 10.4 inches.<\/p>\n
The battery life is 4.5 hours, compared to an average of 3
\nhours for most others. \"Tablet PC is suited for those who work in
\na field,\" PT Nexcom Technology's Marketing Manager Daniel
\nSeptiandy said.<\/p>\n
Notebooks from Fujitsu are distributed in Indonesia by PT
\nNexcom Technology with its central office in Surabaya, East Java.
\nIts Jakarta branch office is located on the Jakarta Stock
\nExchange (JSX) building on Jl. Sudirman, South Jakarta.<\/p>\n
How about the prices? Compared to the prices for desktops, a
\nlaptop costs higher. Commonly, features and brands are factors
\ncontributing to the prices for a laptop. \"A notebook with high
\ncapacity processor and memory, and with a bigger screen is much
\nmore costly. Or the smaller a notebook is, the higher the price
\nis,\" explained PT Bhinneka Mentari Dimensi's Sales & Marketing,
\nMulti Media Division Budy Kurniawan.<\/p>\n
On average, the price of the newer laptops range from US$800
\n(about Rp 7.5 million) to US$3,500 (about Rp 33 million),
\ndepending on the brand, model and series.<\/p>\n
If you are on a tight budget, you can buy new ACER TM 225 X.
\nor a Toshiba Satellite 110 at about Rp 9 million. But if money is
\nnot an issue, then you can buy a Fujitsu Lifebook C2210 priced at
\nUS$2,550 or Fujitsu Lifebook E7010 at US$3,585 or Toshiba Portege
\n3500 at US$2,615. If you require an IBM, you can get the cheapest
\nIBM Thinkpad R32 ABA at US$1,450. The highest price for an IBM
\nnotebook is the IBM Thinkpad A31R54 at US$2,875.<\/p>\n
Fujitsu notebooks are relatively higher priced because they
\noffer more features and better quality. The price of a Fujitsu
\nnotebook is between US$1,500 and US$3,500.<\/p>\n
Distributors or dealers of laptops provide easy access to
\ncustomers wishing to buy a laptop. Customers, for instance, can
\norder a particular brand of laptop via e-mail or by phone. Backed
\nup with technicians, the dealers allow prospective buyers to
\nconsult first before eventually deciding to buy one.<\/p>\n
The pertaining purchasing system is \"cash and carry\" but
\nparticular dealers might allow a customer to buy on credit
\nprovided all terms and conditions are fulfilled.<\/p>\n
PT Bhinneka Mentari Dimensi, for instance, offers a credit
\nscheme allowing a customer to pay by installments with
\ninstallment term of between three and 24 months.<\/p>\n
\"If a customer pays through Citibank Ezzy Pay, he or she does
\nnot have to pay a downpayment,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Even though the distributors of particular brands have their
\nown authorized service center, retailers also offer technicians
\nto handle a repairs of new laptops suffering a technical problem.<\/p>\n
\"We don't want the concerned customer to bother himself
\ncarrying his damaged laptop to our distributors' service center
\nso our staff will pick it up and repair it,\" one distributor
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
PT Nexcom Technology offers after-sale service for its
\ncustomers. \"If the problem is related to software, the customers
\nshould contact the dealer where he or she bought the computer,\"
\nsaid Daniel of PT Nexcom Technology.<\/p>\n
\"But when the problems are related to hardware, the customer
\nis advised to send it to the distributor at the Jakarta Stock
\nExchange (BEJ) Service Center for repairs without extra charge in
\nwarranty periods,\" he added.<\/p>",
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