HANNspree looks to build channel for netbook product

HANNspree is looking to expand its portfolio and is working through channel partnerships to determine which distributors will carry its netbooks.

The Taiwanese vendor which sells own-branded PC displays and LCD TVs also produces monitor and notebook panels for the major tier one vendors so has decided to take the “logical step” and launch into the netbook market.

Martin Kent, UK and Northern Europe territory manager at HANNspree, said there was room for another player in the volume market.

“We have an affiliation with MSI and as such our new netbook was built in conjunction with them. Our brand has been selling in the UK for three years and we have a good channel base to take on our mini-notebooks,” he said.

The proposed retail price at launch will be £289 including VAT and Kent recognised the hyper competitive nature of the market but believed its specs stood up against rivals.

Channel partners include Ingram Micro, Micro P, STC and Misco, “we are still reviewing which channel partners will sell our netbooks”.

Ezster Morvay, research manager for the PC team at IDC, agreed there was still room for additional players in the market.

“There is room in the market because netbooks have shaken up the traditional competitive landscape,” she said.

But she said branding and differentiation were becoming increasingly important and that could make things difficult for HANNspree which was later than others to the market.