Coby to release 7-inch, sub-$100 Midget PC next year

Coby Electronics is planning on introducing the first sub-$100 netbook by March of next year, according to a Tuesday report. The appropriately named Midget PC will initially include models with 7- and 9-inch screens and be capable of performing 90 percent of consumer applications and have pre-loaded drivers for all major brands of printers and other peripherals, says Bob Gee, Coby's marketing director.

The first Midget PCs, with their $99.95 prices, will be called PoqetMate-7 and include 7-inch screens, with the company planning to release smaller and even less costly models later on. A littler further down the line, Coby plans to produce pocket PCs with foldable screens and keyboards, though these will cost more initially. The PC will use Chinese-branded Loongson processors and be assembled in China as well.

The low price of entry is partially made possible by Coby's refusal to use commercial software, and particularly Microsoft's, according to a Coby spokesperson, though exactly which operating system will be used was not specified.

The Midget PCs will be available at discount and grocery stores and pharmacies, including Odd Lots, Rite-Aid and Kroger's. Coby believes the market for ultra low-cost midget PCs like its new product will reach and surpass 100 million, with all midgets combined outselling all other types of portable computers within five years.

Filed under: computers, industry, gadgets
Other story tags: Microsoft, Coby