Computer Trade-ins To Start Next Month

GOVT-SUBSIDISED COMPUTERS: Trade-ins to start next month

BANGKOK: Beginning next month, people can have their old computers checked and evaluated at post offices, should they be looking to trade them in for new ones under the so-called Second-Year Computer ICT Project.

The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Ministry yesterday said people who wanted to trade-in old desktops or notebook PCs less than five years old could have their equipment checked and appraised at 600 postal branches nationwide from March 1.

The ministry will officially launch the trade-in project on March 12, when 20,000 new computers will be made available at Impact Muang Thong Thani exhibition hall.

The old computers will be donated to schools nationwide to promote computer literacy among Thai youngsters.

After the appraisal, computer-owners will receive certification allowing them to buy the new computers at discounted rates.

“People should bring their computer to be checked and evaluated before March 12 to be ready for the new ones,” said ICT Minister Surapong Suebwonglee.

The new desktop computers will feature Pentium 4 microprocessors, a 2.4GHz CPU, 256MB of RAM, a 40GB hard drive and a 17-inch monitor.

However, the price of the new PCs has yet to be finalised. There are three options of operating systems, the free Linux, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, and Windows XP Pro Edition.

“The price for Windows XP Home Edition is Bt1,490, but we have not yet finalised the price of Windows XP Pro Edition,” said Surapong.

The project will run for three months from March 1 and the government expects 100,000 PCs to be traded in the project.

The new PCs will be produced by 20 local PC assemblers operating under the mantle of the Association of Thai Computer Manufacturers.

The ICT Ministry has also planned a PC assembly contest. It expects about 2,000 entries.

“The project aims to be recorded in the Guinness Book of Records,” said Surapong.

--The Nation 2004-02-19