HCL launches three new budget ICS tablets, starting at Rs. 5,999

HCL has added three new tablets to its portfolio. They are the ME U2, ME V1 and the ME Y3, priced at Rs. 5,999, Rs. 7,999 and Rs. 11,999 respectively. All the devices run on Android 4.0 ICS and are available in the market.

HCL Infosystems Ltd. today announced Unmukt Chand as the brand ambassador for its HCL ME Tab range, who unveiled the new range of HCL ME tablets – HCL ME U2 (Rs. 5,999), HCL ME V1 (Rs. 7,999) and HCL ME Y3 (Rs. 11,999) – at the launch event in New Delhi. All three tablets are ICS-based and bear 7-inch displays, while the more expensive two ship with SIM-card functionality.

Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the event was the announcement that HCL has added access to the Google Play storeon their Android tablet range, finally hearing our cries. The HCL Me app store will also be present on devices.

The HCL ME U2 runs on a 1GHz ARM Cortex A9 processor and Mali 400 GPU, coupled with 1GB RAM. It has a 7-inch display with a 480x800 pixel resolution. Other specifications include a 0.3MP front facing camera, 4GB built-in storage expandable up to 32GB via a microSD card, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n connectivity, 3G support via a USB dongle, mini-HDMI port, microUSB port, and a 3000mAh battery.

HCL ME U2

The HCL ME V1 is powered by a 1GHz Cortex A8 processor and GC 430 3D GPU, along with 1GB of RAM. The V1’s 7-inch display has an 800x480 pixel resolution. HCL intends the device to be used as a phone as well, providing a 2G SIM card slot and an inbuilt earpiece for voice calls and EDGE data. 3G support is also present via USB dongle. Other specifications include a 2MP rear-facing camera, 0.3MP front-facing camera, 4GB built-in storage expandable up to 32GB via a microSD card, Bluetooth 3.0 and Wi-Fi connectivity, as well as a 3200mAh battery.

HCL ME V1

The HCL ME Y3 is the premium device launched by HCL today, powered by a 1GHz Cortex A9 CPU, a “built-in 3D GPU,” and 1GB of RAM. The ME Y3 comes with dual-SIM capabilities (GSM+GSM), where one slot supports 2G, and the other 3G. The tablet supports voice calling as well as video calling over the 3G network. The device has a 7-inch display with a 1024x600 pixel resolution, a 0.3MP front-facing camera, a 3.2MP rear camera, 4GB of built-in storage expandable up to 32GB via a microSD card, and a 3100mAh battery. Apart from 3G connectivity, it offers Wi-Fi hotspot functionality, Bluetooth 4.0, a mini-HDMI out port, and a mini-USB port.

HCL ME Y3

Some of the apps that come preloaded with the new range of HCL ME Tabs are Big-Flix, Cleartrip, LinkedIn, NimBuzz, Twitter and Facebook. Also as an introductory offer HCL Infosystems offers MyEduWorld 1+1(Buy 1 Year Content & get next year content free; MyEduWorld will be available in the new range of ME Tablets from April 2013 onwards), Cleartrip Travel Voucher—worth Rs. 2,500 and Magzter-Digital Magazine Store-One Month Subscription to Digital Magazine’s such as India Today, Filmfare, Cricket Today and much more.

The HCL ME tablets will be supported by an integrated back up service - HCL Touch, a 24x7 one-touch service facility. As of now the tablets are available in select cities and will be available across the country by February 2013 onwards.

Mr. Gautam Advani, Global Head, Mobility Business Unit, HCL Infosystems Ltd. said, “We’re very delighted to have Unmukt Chand as our brand ambassador for our ME Tablet brand. Unmukt’s exuberance and passion to excel is an apt personification of our brand. Like Unmukt, the ME Tab brand is young, focussed and raring to go. Our tablets have created a substantial space of its own in the market in a short span of time and we have received great response from our customers. With the launch of the new range we are aiming at strengthening our portfolio in the Phablet category as well. V1 which is a robust 2G calling phablet and Y3, a dual-SIM, dual stand-by 3G model will enable us to capture the calling segment in the market. ME Tablets enables the youth of today to realize more out of life. The brand's core values of novelty, passion and excitement will further be amplified by Unmukt's association and will help us take the brand to the next level.”

Unmukt Chand commenting on the occasion said, "I am very happy to be associated with HCL Infosystems. It’s truly a moment of pride for me to be a part of a brand that is committed to bringing a positive change in the life of the youth of today as well as being a huge enabler for their aspirations. HCL tablets are stylish, feature-rich, user friendly and will help the consumers get more from the gadget and their life. I look forward to a very fruitful relationship with the HCL ME Tab brand and the team.”