HP India unveils affordable mini desktop to empower students

HP India has launched an affordable mini desktop aimed at helping schools and educational institutions expand access to computers and strengthen digital learning, particularly in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) laboratories.

Priced from Rs 19,990, the HP 260 G3 desktop is designed for institutions looking to set up new computer labs or upgrade existing systems without making a large investment. The company is also targeting smaller cities and towns, where the availability of cost-effective computing devices can help bridge gaps in digital education.

HP India Managing Director Sumeer Chandra said digital skills have become increasingly important as technology plays a larger role in everyday life and the workplace. He said the new desktop solution is intended to make digital learning more accessible to students across the country.

The system can be paired with HP's Integrated Work Center and HP EliteDisplay, allowing teachers to access and present files more easily. Its multiple display input options also allow documents and other learning material to be shared across monitors, which could be useful in classrooms and computer laboratories.

The Pentium Dual Core version, bundled with an 18.5-inch monitor, starts at Rs 19,990, while the Intel Core i3 variant with the same size monitor starts at Rs 25,990.

Vickram Bedi, Senior Director, Personal Systems, HP Inc. India, said the HP 260 G3 introduces the company to a new price segment and is aimed at meeting demand for more affordable desktop computers.

The mini desktop runs Windows 10 Pro and supports up to 32GB of DDR4 memory. Its compact form factor can also help institutions make better use of limited classroom or laboratory space while deploying multiple computers.

With schools increasingly relying on digital resources, computer-based learning and technology-enabled teaching, affordable desktop systems could play a useful role in helping educational institutions expand their technology infrastructure, especially in areas where budgets remain limited.