MTNL Launching Rs 4,500 PC Today!
Techtree News Staff, Sep 24, 2007 1208 hrs IST
The computer, christened 'netPC', will be launched today in the capital by Communication and IT minister, A Raja.
"A PC for every home" may not be such a distant possibility after all -- especially if you happen to be a MTNL customer!
The state-owned telecom major, in association with Chennai-based Novatium, is today launching its Rs 4,500 PC, which comes with the added benefit of an Internet connection for just a small monthly fee.
The computer, christened 'netPC', will be launched today in the capital by Communication and IT minister, A Raja.
While 'netPC' looks and feels like any other PC, it's essentially a no-frills device. Which means it lacks most of the common hardware found on a typical PC. It does not have a regular CPU or any storage device.
MTNL will connect the terminals to a centralised server in the locality, and will provide the PC with Internet access. All applications including consumers' data storage will be done by the server.
According to Novatium, the advantage of 'netPC' is that customers will not have to face the challenges that are associated with a regular PC.
Besides, they will retain the choice to use either Windows or Linux operating systems.
The Novatium Web site explains the concept of 'netPC' as: "netPC reaches one's home on a network cable just like a cable television service or Broadband. Metro ethernet deployments are quickly becoming a pervasive reality, and hence, instead of just Internet Broadband to one's home, one can ask for a complete desktop with inbuilt Internet access, educational packages, online games, chat, Web cam, productivity suites, and much more served on the Nova netPC."
USER COMMENTS
Great concept...but not sure if it can be reliable in Indian context where there are various other infrastructural problems. Definately worth a try...can we use all applications as we do on our home PC. Also how much speed and storage space will one be getting?
by Pulkit, Delhi, on Jul 26, 2008 10:16 AM, Report abuse Reply
hardware Specs of Nova net PC please
by prem, Kolkata, on May 17, 2008 06:09 PM, Report abuse Reply
specs doesnt point out its hardware config, somehow i cound find its specs at http://www.novatium.com/beta_uploads/Nova_netPC_Specs_-_VerNov2006.pdf but it seems that it will fulfil the needs of students, surfing and a low-end computer.
by naveenchaudhary, meerut, on Sep 24, 2007 12:25 PM, Report abuse Reply
Can anybody tell me what kind of hardware specs NovaPC has. I believe it runs on 512 RAM and 1 GHZ processor
by prem, Kolkata, on May 17, 2008 06:07 PM, Report abuse
CONGRATULATION mtnl, This is a good opertunity to all, Please provide me all details about this scheme.I am interested very badly
by satish shah, mumbai, on Mar 26, 2008 07:08 AM, Report abuse Reply
please provide me information regarding purchasing and other charges,and whether it is available in delhi/ncr.
by ritu choudhary, delhi, on Oct 09, 2007 06:00 PM, Report abuse Reply
by vinod patel, palanpur, on Mar 06, 2008 03:17 PM, Report abuse
Tell me about this scheme because i want everything about this scheme ,about PC and net connection.so please tell me .
by Shweta, Delhi, on Dec 07, 2007 08:51 AM, Report abuse Reply
please tell me about cost of mtnl computer of 4,500 and its feacher, HDD, MOTHERBOARD,COMBO,MONITOR,SPEAKER
by PAWAN KUMAR, DELHI, on Dec 01, 2007 06:37 PM, Report abuse Reply
by nidhi, ghaziabad, on Sep 25, 2007 01:43 PM, Report abuse Reply
by Zafar Abbas, Delhi, on Sep 25, 2007 02:48 PM, Report abuse
Miss nidhi, On what basis you say that it is useless, As you know that in the age which we leave is internet age, MTNL takes a good deseason to connect the general people to the world, However you had to told that it is a effective step to move india on the way of development. I am totally disagree with your arguement.
by samresh, dumka, on Sep 28, 2007 12:05 PM, Report abuse
how u know it is useless. i think its very useful for useless baby like you. Try to understand this comment!
by Sanjeev Singh, Delhi, on Sep 28, 2007 05:29 PM, Report abuse
No, No, Nidhi is absolutely right. If she says it is useless, it is USELESS. Understand. Matter closed. No more arguments.
by Raja Pahalwan, Coimbatore, on Nov 30, 2007 11:50 AM, Report abuse
can i know about what is the minimum rate of your internet connection
by ajay, delhi, on Nov 07, 2007 04:17 PM, Report abuse Reply
it is a dream come true for many of the middle class people who are not in a position to buy a computer, this is a great oppertunity to many to connect with world.
by k.neela prakash, hyderabad, on Nov 06, 2007 01:59 PM, Report abuse Reply
I am very happy to know that the Computer with Internet connect for Rs.4500. So avery poor person is adopt the study.
by Narendra Prasad, Delhi, on Nov 03, 2007 01:11 PM, Report abuse Reply
it,s a very gud idea , please provide me information regarding purchasing and other charges and all the confugiration thanks.
by kanish mehta, new delhi, on Oct 03, 2007 12:48 PM, Report abuse Reply
i was looking for something same , likw thick-liner. i need it on a urgent basis
by Sumit Saraf, Kolkata/Mumbai, on Sep 25, 2007 12:27 PM, Report abuse Reply
by anshul, hyderabad, on Oct 03, 2007 12:47 PM, Report abuse
please provide me information regarding purchasing and other charges,and whether it is available in delhi/ncr.
by abbas hussain, new delhi, on Oct 02, 2007 03:08 PM, Report abuse Reply
the consept is very interesting. how it will work with out storage devics ashard disc? please send complete details about this PC. thanks.
by ajay divan, surat, on Sep 28, 2007 10:44 PM, Report abuse Reply
pls send me all the confugiration. abt 4500 rs computer
by Sanjeev Singh, New Delhi, on Sep 28, 2007 05:35 PM, Report abuse Reply
pls send me all the confugiration. abt 4500 rs computer
by atul, delhi, on Sep 28, 2007 04:43 PM, Report abuse Reply
what how we get this new pc only in 4,500/- which condition are fullfill just tell as soon as
by rajni behal, delhi, on Sep 28, 2007 01:07 PM, Report abuse Reply
i thinks it s good for perple who cannot purchase the computer with broadband one short.it is very great ideas
by kavita, delhi, on Sep 27, 2007 10:53 AM, Report abuse Reply
I think its a good concept and if implemented correctly it will be helpfull to many people. Thin Client are not bad many big compnies are using it and IMP it doesnt require high bandwidth as required to normal pc. can I get in bhuj-kutch gujarat?
by Dhara, Bhuj, on Sep 26, 2007 03:14 PM, Report abuse Reply
When will be made available in Bhuj-Kutch Gujarat?
by Dhara, Bhuj, on Sep 26, 2007 02:08 PM, Report abuse Reply
when & where it will be available to end user? I' highly interested to have 5 units.it looks lucrative offer
by Bhupendrs K Sha, Baroda, on Sep 26, 2007 08:43 AM, Report abuse Reply
It will be change the commercial trend, Now every person keep this P C in his own Shop and use this machine for better tommorow.
by vijay arora, navi mumbai airoli, on Sep 26, 2007 03:26 AM, Report abuse Reply
good move, esp like the idea that users have a choice between Linux and windows as the OS. Wish other South Asian countries will adopt a similar solution.
by Dilshan Jesook, New York, on Sep 26, 2007 01:08 AM, Report abuse Reply
sounds this is just like MINITEL launched by France-Telecom 20+ years ago that lead to massive adoption & then gradual adoption of PC in france..Seems a good move , but the price should be dropped donw more say 3K ..
by fantoosh, pune, on Sep 26, 2007 01:00 AM, Report abuse Reply
I think its a good concept and if implemented correctly it will be helpfull to many people. Thin Client are not bad many big compnies are using it and IMP it doesnt require high bandwidth as required to normal pc.
by Harsh, Pune, on Sep 25, 2007 11:51 PM, Report abuse Reply
When will be made available in Kochi?
by Dileep Paul, Kochi, on Sep 25, 2007 08:16 AM, Report abuse Reply
MTNL is operational only in Delhi and Mumbai. so no possibility of kochi
by rajesh moudgil, Ludhiana, on Sep 25, 2007 09:53 PM, Report abuse
atleast poor student's gets benifited. good...
by Prashad, Coimbatore, on Sep 25, 2007 09:50 PM, Report abuse Reply
India is facing infrastructure issues. 20 Years back, PC was a problem, 10 Years back, faster PCs were a problem. 5 years back Data Storage was a problem. The issue that we are facing now is Bandwidth. We cannot afford a T3 or a ISDN line even per 200 people in India. Wireless, GPRS, WAP, EDGE, Wi-Max is a far fledge dream for a common man.
by ??xt?R, New Delhi, on Sep 25, 2007 07:07 PM, Report abuse Reply
Damn! for God sake, count your virture and donot cry too much
by rajesh moudgil, Ludhiana, on Sep 25, 2007 09:46 PM, Report abuse
Great!!!!, it is beginning of new era
by Yavar Pothiawal, Surat, on Sep 25, 2007 08:57 PM, Report abuse Reply
very good idea. atleast common man afford it
by Rajan Vargehse, Vasai, on Sep 25, 2007 05:17 PM, Report abuse Reply
It is good for every one who dont use computer for this opportunity every one use computer.
by faiz ahmed, delhi, on Sep 25, 2007 03:54 PM, Report abuse Reply
by JOY VARGHESE, COCHIN, on Sep 25, 2007 03:51 PM, Report abuse Reply
Very nice initiative/gimmick by MTNL! One crucial step remains - bring quality bandwidth into the country !
by Ishaan Prasad, Delhi, on Sep 24, 2007 06:59 PM, Report abuse Reply
and it is impossible here ;-) The speed and bandwidth matters for such TCs and they will mega-flop because of this.
by Zafar Abbas, Delhi, on Sep 25, 2007 02:50 PM, Report abuse
i think its very good for those who cannot afford normal pcs. ty
by Nirajan Regmi, Kathmandu, on Sep 24, 2007 10:07 PM, Report abuse Reply
Now-a-days, Hardware is not so expensive that you have to compromise for just your Hard-disc. If you can buy monitor, processor,and other small perifeal devices then whats the problem with just memory units???
by Zafar Abbas, Delhi, on Sep 25, 2007 02:46 PM, Report abuse
This is an excellent development, drawing on the concepts of thin-computing and SaaS. This is the way to go to spread computer-culture in our country. I hope BSNL and other telecom operators also do this.
by Kamal Gupta, New Delhi, on Sep 25, 2007 12:51 PM, Report abuse Reply
It may take several years to get a mature QoS, especially on security of the confidential information, files/data stored on the PC, privacy policy, etc., as the regulation in India itself is weak. Probably MTNL is banking on non-computer-literate home users, who do not have any idea how their information could be used.
by AJ., Bangalore, on Sep 25, 2007 12:33 PM, Report abuse Reply
We have been using novatium in a small office setup with about 7 - 8 thin clients (NetPC) connected to a dual processor central server. As long as the server is of good specs and has a broadband internet connectivity that can be shared, the concept works very well and will be a very good and economical solution to providing internet access and a LAN setup for small office and community computing , especially college hostels or apartments. Management and maintenace costs also reduce as you need to install and maintain softwares only on the server itself.
by N.Unni, Bangalore, on Sep 25, 2007 11:25 AM, Report abuse Reply
A novel idea i must accept. Only catch is after sales and QOS. If MTNL can improve on these faces then i think it is a very good scheme. Many people i know wish to have a basic PC at home just to make their kids and wives familier with the technology. For them a no frill PC with internet connection at this price and no headache to maintain it will be a boon. For my friends here who are wasting their greycells and wrist muscles about privacy, now a days you can have a suite of applications just by registering yourself on some of the websites (i am not mentioning them here purposedly) for free and can create your own private space on a dozen or so secure sites also for free. Use your faculties towards something good instead of meaningless hammering of your keys.
by Shailesh Jaria, New Delhi, on Sep 25, 2007 10:19 AM, Report abuse Reply
All the techie people who have rubbished this have missed the basic point. This is not targeted to techies who use the PC 20 hours a day and can afford 60K PC. This is targeted to people who cannot afford the 60K PC's but still would have access to Net and would be in pace with rest of the world.
by Pramod, Bangalore, on Sep 25, 2007 09:23 AM, Report abuse Reply
Really good scheme if it does not get entangled in official apathy and lackadaisical attitude of govt. employees. It will be a boon for students.
by Trial Blazer, Chandigarh, on Sep 25, 2007 09:17 AM, Report abuse Reply
good idea for home pc. could i get some more inf since i may be a real customer.
by s.c. gupta, delhi, on Sep 25, 2007 08:24 AM, Report abuse Reply
Its a very good idea. But will it cater to external storage devices like pen drive, etc. And yes will they take care of virus problems.
by Kalbhor Chandra, Hadapsar, on Sep 25, 2007 07:54 AM, Report abuse Reply
When is it coming to Mumbai / Aurangabad?
by Dr. Shashikumar, Aurangabad, on Sep 25, 2007 07:13 AM, Report abuse Reply
I think its a great idea. I also find this as a good approach towards bringing in more education. There are definately downsides to it but hey guys look at the brighter side. On a positive note, it will help people afford education, the NET way. I think this is a great initiative by MTNL and definately benefit those in need.
by Avisek, US, on Sep 25, 2007 03:39 AM, Report abuse Reply
If this PC is so wonderfull why MTNL is not Disclosing its Config.This Things have come and gone .......do u think its worth Buying such PC just Bcos its cheap..............SETHIA INFOTECH...PH.32982159/98841-20789
by Pradeep, chennai, on Sep 24, 2007 09:52 PM, Report abuse Reply
it's worse than having none..use of internet requires lot more than a browser and servers located at mtnl premises..it's better not to think abou it..
by Adi, Phoenix, on Sep 24, 2007 09:50 PM, Report abuse Reply
it is fanatastic. We will be intrested in marketing it our city in ranchi. pls send contact detail.
by bankat garodia, ranchi, on Sep 24, 2007 09:14 PM, Report abuse Reply
puhhhleeease. This is a thin client. It is a concept that is rubbished in computerdom. And a thin client running on MTNL servers... Well, thats worse.
by rishi, mumbai, on Sep 24, 2007 01:38 PM, Report abuse Reply
by Annoy, Kolkata, on Sep 24, 2007 02:15 PM, Report abuse
yeah ur rite abt that. not to mention it is risky to work on private documents when using such a service. i'm really sceptical though to the extent to which this will be possible. i mean thro' broadband? we barely maintain 256 kbps and he wants to do this over broadband? not to mention that this is ONLY for THE MOST BASIC home use possible.i'm talking abt the most basic of the basic. i don't think u can even use cd's or dvd's which wld be a huge drawback.atleast pendrives and usb devices must be supported if it is to sell. AND GOD FORBID that anyone buys this for 'gaming'!!!!!!!!!
by Sandeep, Chennai, on Sep 24, 2007 08:46 PM, Report abuse
the concept of thin client isn't really that bad. it's pretty useful for enterpreneurs who need to bring down costs of computing resources.they could just get a couple of dual-core/quad-core comps and then use thin clients for the rest.not only is data centralized and protected this will bring huge power savings as well.but enough of that. this netPc stuff is going to be really useful for villages or poor people but otherwise it's way better to go for a normal PC.
by Sandeep, Chennai, on Sep 24, 2007 08:50 PM, Report abuse
how about connecting all the buisnesses together with a G.O ( govt order making it complusory for buisness premises ) making it default in all the major shops it is revenue oriented ( please not the innocent public again,just because they are consumers) for the govt in all angles with can then reflect in the stock market or so.... MTNL is aiming for individuals and not the real market.
by umakanth, chennai, on Sep 24, 2007 07:12 PM, Report abuse Reply
Dont expect much. you'll entirely become dependent on central server. suppose you are writing an important document and broadband disconnects!! even God will not help. the hectic customer care, superb disconnection rates are major hurdles. Instead go for a normal "working" PC that can be assembled within 6,000/-.
by Anonymous, New Delhi, on Sep 24, 2007 01:38 PM, Report abuse Reply
You can MS Office, Surf Internet. What more does a serious user want. One thing about TC, reconnection after disconnection does not wipe out the document. You will see the screen from where you disconnected. Reason: The MTNL server is not off, to which you are connected and data being stored.
by Annoy, Kolkata, on Sep 24, 2007 02:24 PM, Report abuse
Dont bitch about it, look at its price :D, its so cheap!!! Cheaper than my power supply, lol this is nice, a good step 2wards development. even if people have computers in their home can buy this as a failsafe! :D
by ORB, Hyd, on Sep 24, 2007 01:52 PM, Report abuse Reply
Fantastic innovation. Hope the intenet cost does not become a burden.
by Kaithang, New Delhi, on Sep 24, 2007 01:49 PM, Report abuse Reply
Whats the catch? I mean, the limitations? Data Transfer rate? What kinda softwares can it support? But I definitely wanna c this..
by Gdn | TD, Chennai, on Sep 24, 2007 01:27 PM, Report abuse Reply
by p c agarwal, delhi, on Sep 24, 2007 01:21 PM, Report abuse Reply
i think its a great idea. google already has this. who needs all this stuff on a PC or laptop anyway? its only a machine built to make life more convenient for us, not to burden us with gadgetry! now they just have to make sure that the net conncetion is available anywhere at any time and that its a relatively stable connection.
by patrickG, Kolkata, on Sep 24, 2007 01:05 PM, Report abuse Reply
What is the product or scheme that google is providing? Can u just tell me? Thankx
by Hrushikesh, mumbai, on Sep 24, 2007 01:14 PM, Report abuse
Doesn't sound anything special! It looks more like a thin client or just a terminal connected to the server.
by syed sardar, Hyderabad, on Sep 24, 2007 12:55 PM, Report abuse Reply
by mukul, yamuna nagar, on Sep 24, 2007 12:44 PM, Report abuse Reply
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