Computer market witnesses 100 percent growth

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Malayali’s love towards the computer seems to be booming each year with the computer market in Kerala touching new heights in the year 2011. The data collected by Express from various computer dealers across the State reveals that the computer market saw a 100-per cent growth compared to the previous year.The data suggests that 2,49,000 units were sold in the year 2011. Even though the market for the desktop and laptop segments has seen an upward trend, tablet computers are yet to click in the Kerala market.“There has been a 100-per cent increase in the sale of computers in the Kerala market. Each month, around 12,000 units of desktops were sold here in 2011. The demand for laptops was around 8,000 units per month. Kerala is positioned in the top five in the nationwide sales record,’’ Sijo Thomas, managing director of Oxygen computers, said.The desktop market mainly relies on the offices and business establishments, whereas the laptops have become favourites among the students and household users.“The desktops are sold only in offices. Since companies take a high number of desktops, the sale of this category is going up each year. But when it comes to the demand among the students and home users, the laptops are mostly preferred,” Sijo said.Even though there was much hype on the tablet sales in the Indian market, Keralites seem to be in no mood to spend money on tablets. The sales of tablets are very low and on an average, only 750 units had been sold in Kerala a month. There is a confusion over the price of tablets, with the government announcing that it would provide tablets at a very low cost.So, many people prefer to spend money on laptops than tablets these days.“Now, laptop has become a key tool for the student like a calculator. About 50 per cent of the laptops are purchased for students. Many courses have made laptops mandatory. Businesses are the second most takers of laptops.The market for tablets is yet to gain momentum. But in the coming days, the demand for tablets would certainly go up,’’ Sijo said.