Reliance Jio, owned by Mukesh Ambani, is in talks with major manufacturers such as HP, Acer, and Lenovo to introduce a cloud laptop, aiming to disrupt the Indian PC market.
Priced at approximately INR 15,000, the upcoming laptop will act as a “dumb terminal,” with all storage and processing tasks managed by the Jio cloud.
Reliance Jio Planning to Launch New Cloud Laptop
This innovative approach is expected to significantly lower the current ownership cost of around INR 50,000 while providing users with high-speed access to services.
Trials are reportedly underway with HP Chromebook for the proposed cloud PC, and Jio plans to offer a monthly subscription for the service, with pricing yet to be finalized. For those who prefer not to purchase a new device, the cloud PC software can be installed on existing desktops or smart TVs to access computing features.
An official explained the concept, stating, “The cost of a laptop depends on its hardware like memory, processing power, chipset etc. What we are doing is stripping all this, and the whole processing of the laptop will happen at the back end in the Jio cloud.”
This initiative marks Jio’s second foray into the laptop market, following the earlier unveiling of JioBook, a 4G-powered laptop priced at INR 16,499. While JioBook operated on the JioOS system, the upcoming cloud PC is expected to run on various operating systems, including Windows.
Jio Focusing on Digital Services Market
Jio aims to make a significant impact in the digital services market, particularly in the context of the rising trend of hybrid workplaces. Recognizing the demand for secure environments in remote work settings, Jio is focused on providing digital services prioritizing security.
Reports suggest that Jio is initially concentrating on providing ubiquitous connectivity before expanding its offerings to digital services, anticipating incremental revenue.
Known for targeting budget-conscious consumers, Jio has evolved from its initial telecom network launch, offering free internet and affordable mobile phones. In the first quarter of the financial year 2023-24, Reliance Jio reported a 12.5% increase in consolidated net profit to INR 5,098 Cr.
In the July-September quarter of 2023, India’s PC shipments, including desktops, notebooks, and workstations, reached a record 4.5 million units, marking a significant 14% year-on-year increase, according to data from the International Data Corp (IDC).
