Laptops under 800 USD dominate the market

“Products in this price range will see the highest demand, currently accounting for over 30% of all Acer laptops sold. This summer market will be very vibrant as manufacturers are launching new products across various segments“, said Trần Quang Thọ, Product Director at Acer Vietnam.

A multitude of new models priced under 800 USD are being aggressively launched by computer manufacturers such as Acer, HP, and Toshiba. Most of these machines use Celeron processors, or higher-end Pentium M and Centrino lines. Acer has introduced the Aspire 3642, 3628, and TravelMate 2428. Meanwhile, HP Compaq has released products like the V5208TU and V2633TS. Toshiba has unveiled the Satellite L30-C330, and BenQ has introduced the A32-408, while GigaByte offers the N512U.

According to Tô Hồng Trang, Marketing Director of the Digital World Company, which distributes many laptop brands in Ho Chi Minh City, the back-to-school season is the busiest time for business, so it is not surprising that many manufacturers are launching new products at affordable prices to capitalize on the growing trend of laptop usage, especially among students, teachers, and office workers.

Laptops are the dream of many students and pupils. This dream is no longer far-fetched. Photo: V.H.

A few years ago, laptops were still considered luxury items, and it was rare for students to own one. However, recently, the increasing variety of products, brands, and gradually decreasing prices have led this demographic to shift towards laptops. “With over 10 million VND, one can consider a brand new laptop that is not much more expensive than a desktop, and can be used anywhere from lecture halls and libraries to coffee shops,” predicted Minh Anh, a third-year student at Hong Bang International University. “After mobile phones and MP3 players, laptops will make Vietnamese lecture halls more modern as everywhere becomes high-tech.”

For those already in the workforce, despite having personal computers at home and in the office, managing and transferring data can be cumbersome and time-consuming. A laptop that can work anytime and anywhere is a solution. Lưu Thị Mỹ Ngọc, a graduate student at Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, shared: “I am working at the office while diligently completing my thesis, so I need to manage my time very tightly. I’ve dreamed of having a laptop for a long time but thought I could never afford it. With this price, many middle-income individuals will have more opportunities to own a laptop.”

Currently, the common features of “budget” laptops include Celeron CPUs ranging from 1.4 GHz to 1.6 GHz, Pentium M or Centrino M 1.7 GHz, RAM from 256 MB to DDRII 512 MB, hard drives of 40 GB or 60 GB, DVD-RW or DVD-CDRW drives, screens ranging from 14 to 15.4 inches (some models feature glossy or widescreen displays), and most support wireless Internet connectivity.

As technology becomes more accessible and user-friendly, reaching consumers has also become easier. The explosion of broadband (ADSL) has led to a rapid increase in Internet users in schools, offices, hotels, tourist spots, coffee shops, and even on the streets. Wi-Fi hotspots are developing rapidly along with the integration of wireless networks in most laptops. Not long ago, laptop users were indifferent to Wi-Fi functionality, but now, many consumers choose it for its convenience.

“I am heavily addicted to the Internet, so when there’s a power outage or I’m not at the office and have to work outside without my computer, I feel very uncomfortable even though I just need to check emails, communicate with partners, and read news articles,” said Lê Hữu Danh, a marketing employee at a cosmetics company. “A budget laptop that can provide entertainment and web browsing is essential for me.”

A significant advantage of affordable laptops today is that they meet the real needs of most average-income Vietnamese people. In addition to price and warranty, the attractive design, compactness, and long battery life are strong competitive factors against second-hand products. Many individuals with basic computer knowledge prefer official products for peace of mind.

According to Nguyệt, Sales and Marketing Director of GreenSys Company (Ho Chi Minh City), the market for low-cost laptops will continue to grow significantly to encourage low and middle-income earners to access technology. Here, the store sells about 200 units each month, with over 40% of models priced below 800 USD.

However, the decreasing prices of laptops have led some to question the quality and technology used. A representative of Acer Vietnam stated that standardization of components, large-scale production, and an efficient distribution system are the reasons why laptop prices have become more affordable. Additionally, processor technology focuses on specific product lines and target customer groups. At this price point, CPUs are primarily Celeron, and in the future, possibly Pentium.

Currently, among Vietnamese brands, only the CMS Sputnik C4 is sold for 10.8 million VND, including value-added tax and pre-installed with Windows XP Home. The laptop measures 333 x 277 x 31 mm, weighs 2.8 kg, and uses a Smart Li-Ion 8-cell, 4400 mAh battery with a battery life of up to 5 hours. The CMS Sputnik C4 is equipped with an Intel Celeron M 370 1.5 GHz processor (1M L2 cache, 400 MHz FSB), 256 MB of RAM, a 40 GB hard drive, an 8X DVD combo, a 915GM chipset, a 15-inch screen, and wireless card supporting 802.11b/g for wireless Internet access.

Prices of some models under 800 USD (excluding VAT)

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