New Delhi: Zenith Computers raised the bar for notebook computer makers in the country by lowering the price of its new laptop and desktop that have been brought to market under the brand 'EcoStyle'.

Zenith's EcoStyle laptop is priced at an extremely competitive Rs14,999, making it the lowest-priced Windows operating system laptop in the market. Along with the laptop, the EcoStyle brand also has a desktop PC priced at an aggressive Rs11,999.

Both computers will be available in the market by the festive season, and will be available at Zenith's retail chain of 800 dealers and 350 exclusive showrooms.

Raj Saraf and chairman and managing director of Zenith Computers launched the new range along with Ravi Venkatesan, chairman of Microsoft India, saying that this was an effort by the two companies to proivide affordable computing.

The EcoStyle laptop is targeted at the youth segment, given its asthetics, features and content available on the laptop. It is well capable of being used as a netbook, as it comes preloaded with Microsoft's productivity suite that includes Windows XP Home Edition as the operating system, Microsoft Works suite that provides a word processor, spreadsheets and PPT viewer), and Microsoft's Windows Live Suite that has an email client, messenger and family safety from Windows Live OneCare.

The EcoStyle PC provides a choice of operating systems between Windows Vista Starter and Microsoft Windows XP Home, while it includes the above Microsoft productivity suite. A key feature of the PC is its portability, weighing in at just 2.2 kilograms, making for easy relocation of the computer.

Zenith says that both computers boast reduced power consumption on account of their smaller screen size, resulting in an average 30 per cent saving in terms of power consumed.

Speaking at the launch, Raj Saraf, chairman and managing director of Zenith Computers said, "This initiative is a part of our continuous effort to foster advanced and hassle free computing experience. The initial Rs10,000 PC was launched with much fanfare, however it failed to perform. With the EcoStyle PC, Zenith is bringing a true low-cost PC which underlines performance and affordability for the consumers."

Ravi Venkatesan, chairman of Microsoft India said, "Under the Microsoft Unlimited Potential initiative, our effort is to bring sustained social and economic opportunity to people who currently don't enjoy the benefits of technology. Our aim is to propel a wider acceptance for IT amongst the masses by extending an opportunity to learn, connect, create, and succeed by combining advanced technologies and relevant partnerships."