Taipei, April 23, 2007 (CENS)--Asustek Computer will roll out five types of low-priced PCs embedded with Intel`s Classmate platform in second half this year, posing heat to Quanta Computer in the competition in low-priced PC market.

The five computer types Asustek will introduce are priced at US$199, US$249, US$299, US$399 and US$549 each. They will be equipped with Intel`s microprocessors, chipsets and hard-disc drives offering memory capacity ranging from one gigabyte (GB) to 40GB. Asustek will contract AU Optronics Corp. (AUO) to supply seven-inch LCD display screens for the computers.

Intel unveiled its "Classmate PC" last year and has approached many developing countries over co-promotion deals. The company has begun delivering the computers in mainland China through some small retailers.

Industry watchers pointed out that Intel`s low-priced PC program came at nearest rival Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), which joined the United Nation`s OLPC (One Laptop per Child) low-priced PC program. Quanta and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are also participants of the UN program.

Quanta and MIT are co-developing low-priced PCs for the UN program and will introduce the wares in second half this year. According to Quanta, eight countries have signed contracts to buy over eight million of the computers and sales of the computers will definitely surpass 10 million units in the first year of the rollout.

Industry watchers expect competition in low-priced PC market to heat up in the second half this year after the two heavyweight PC makers begin shipping the products.

(by Ken Liu)