HP partners with Google to manufacture Chromebook laptops in India

HP, which makes devices like personal computers and laptops, has partnered with technology company Google to manufacture Chromebook laptops in India. Chromebooks will be manufactured at HP’s factory near Chennai in Tamil Nadu. The company has been manufacturing desktops and laptops in this factory for almost three years. American devices maker Apple and South Korea’s Samsung are also increasing manufacturing in the country. ‘Make in India’ is being promoted by the central government. Because of this, many global technology companies are setting up their units in the country or are exploring the possibility of partnership with Indian companies. HP’s senior director (personal systems) in the country, Vickram Bedi, said, “Manufacturing Chromebooks in the country will provide affordable PCs to students. We will continue to support the government’s efforts related to Make in India.” Google’s Head of Education (South Asia), Bani Dhawan, said, “Manufacturing Chromebooks with HP is an important turning point in our efforts to drive a major digital transformation of education in the country.” Samsung has also made preparations to increase manufacturing in India. The company’s smartphones are already being produced in the country. Samsung can also make laptops in its factory in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh from next month. This will give a boost to the Make in India scheme of the Central Government. Under this scheme, incentives are given for electronics manufacturing. According to a media report, Samsung has prepared to set up a new laptop manufacturing unit in the Greater Noida factory that produces smartphones. This unit will have the capacity to manufacture 60,000-70,000 laptops annually. This unit will be started next month. Last month, the government had imposed licensing conditions for import of personal computers, laptops and tablets. Its objective is to increase manufacturing in the country. Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Rajeev Chandrasekhar had said that the new rule will ensure the use of reliable systems and products in the country. American iPhone maker Apple, which has a major share in the premium smartphone market, has prepared to increase manufacturing in India.