By Rabindra Rooplall
WITH a global computer supply shortage in the aftermath of COVID-19 and homeschooling, STARR Computer has teamed-up with Intel to produce its affordable STARR Essential PC systems for low Income families in Guyana.
The models will be launched on Monday, October 5, 2020.
Intel is an American multinational corporation and technology company headquartered in Santa Clara, California, in Silicon Valley
STARR Computer Inc President, Mike Mohan, said from the start of COVID-19, there had been a major rush by the public and private sectors worldwide to acquire computers for their employees and families to work and study from home.
In addition, Mohan explained that many developed countries including the US and Europe began purchasing laptops in huge quantities for their home-school and online educational programmes.
Simultaneously, he said many eastern countries affected earlier by Coronavirus where most brand computers are manufactured, quickly began shutting down their production plants to protect their employees.
Thereafter, the side effect of zero production and massive demand created significant PC shortages and price increases worldwide.
For several years, STARR Computer, Mohan said, distributed and serviced HP and Lenovo computers in Guyana. However, shortages of components had affected the production of affordable systems.
And these and other major manufacturers had opted to focus their limited components on the higher value and priced systems.
“Since five months ago, STARR Computer had placed forecasted orders for over 4,000 affordable branded computers and only 1,250 were received to date in Guyana. And as these brand systems continued to trickle in below its demand curve, STARR, in its capacity as an authorised Intel Technology Provider (ITP) has now decided to team-up with Intel to accelerate its desktop production in Guyana,” the tech specialist said.
He continued: “On Monday, October 5th, STARR will be launching its affordable STARR Essential PC Systems to cater for its low-income families. HP and Kingston had also joined in to create an eco-solution bundle. STARR desktop with Kingston memory storage along with HP 21.5” high resolution Monitor along with a colour Inkjet printer created a very robust solution. And within days we will see two upcoming versions of an advanced STARR Academic PC and STARR Office PC Solutions.”
In addition, he said for all customers who purchase these systems, STARR will be offering a limited time special discounted coupon for purchase of accessories, peripherals and supplies.
The STARR Essential PC allows families to browse the Internet, access data information and social media and a host of other options.
STARR Academic PC targets advanced students involved in major research activities along with video conferencing and advanced student requirements, while the STARR Office PC will be targeting more robust office operations. All models come with one-year warranty and are fully upgradable. STARR will also continue to carry the two major brands of HP and Lenovo computers in Guyana.
Prior to COVID-19, STARR Computer, he said anticipated potential price increases in branded computers and other supplies due to its tariff challenges in the USA along with possibility of a future booming economy in Guyana.
Hopefully, Mohan said the demand and supply situation will level off and get better soon for all. However, if the pandemic hits a second wave, prices can become a greater national challenge for Guyanese.
In the meantime, Mohan urges Government and corporations to purchase its technology equipment from legally established local partners as they are helping to create local employment and boosting the local economy.
“It also boosts the local authorised service centres for branded technology equipment to earn revenue from international suppliers for repair services rendered on their brands during warranty period. This adds revenue to the local economy and enhance the cost of ownership for equipment purchased,” he explained.
