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• HPs in Every Home?: Computer pilot program exceeds expectations

Who told you about "old" computers? Instead of shaking the air just take a look at the program that really works. At least HP did something. Nobody else even tried. And if you are happy with cheap hand made PC for 200$ how this program will affect you? I don't see here any interferrence with existing PC market in Armenia which is already went down to low-end and low-quality service....

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Three months into its pilot project the “Computers for All” program is a clear success according to its initiators.

In September the Ministry of Economy of Armenia, Enterprise Incubator Foundation, Hewlett Packard, Unicomp, and Microsoft companies and ACBA Credit Agricole Bank started the program, aiming to promote the use of computers in Armenia. On monthly payments of 10,000-20,000 drams ($25-$51) residents of Armenia can buy a n HP computer over two years, without a down payment and without interest. For example, an HP Compaq 610 model (costing 252,000 drams ($654)) can be bought paying 10,500 drams ($27) per month.

A Hewlett Packard rep says sales have surpassed their expectations nearly three times.

On Wednesday (December 2) Vadim Tikhonichev, sales manager of American Hewlett Packard in Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS countries) stated that the company sold 1,300 computers within 2.5 months instead of previously planned 500 computers.

He mentioned that the program was implemented in Yerevan, Gyumri (Shirak Province), Vanadzor (Lori Province); and it stirred up great interest especially among residents of Armenia’s provinces. Hence, the company aims to found points of their computer sales also in Kotayk, Aragatsotn, Gegharkunik and Armavir provinces in the nearest future.

Hewlett Packard plans to sell additional 5,000 computers until the end of the pilot program. In 2010 a “Computer for Teachers” program will start. Within the framework of that program, schoolteachers and lecturers of higher educational institutions will be able to get computers (equipped with various programs designed for teaching) on reasonable credit terms.

Bagrat Yengibaryan, director of Enterprise Incubator Foundationn mentions that the program will last 4-5 years.

“The aim of the program is to provide 30 percent of Armenian residents with home computers,” Yengibaryan says adding that currently only five-six percent of Armenia’s population has home computers, which is a poor index for a developing country.