Mimos' Low-cost Computer To Debut Soon

LUSAKA, July 31 (Bernama) -- The low-cost computer being developed by Malaysia's Mimos Bhd will likely be marketed in Zambia and other countries in this region where apparently pricey but slow computers are still the norm.

Malaysian Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili, said the computer, to be priced between RM500 and RM1,000, was expected to be rolled-out in the next few months.

"I've tried it myself and I'm happy with it," he told reporters here on Wednesday.

Ongkili was member of the Malaysian delegation, headed by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who was here for the Global Southern Africa International Dialogue 2008. They flew back to Malaysia last night.

Ongkili said Mimos was still in the process of selecting a partner to manufacture the computer, which would come in two versions.

The subject of Mimos' computer was mentioned in talks between Najib and Zambian Vice-President Rupiah Banda a few days ago.

Ongkili spoke of possible collaborations between Malaysia and Zambia to produce the computer here.

Mimos is Malaysia's leading applied research organisation in information and communication technologies aimed at growing globally-competitive indigenous industries.

It pursues exploratory and industry-driven applied research through multi-stakeholder smart partnerships with universities, research institutes, Government and industries with a focus on frontier technologies.

Mimos applied research areas, based on real-world trends, are cyber space security, encryption systems, grid computing, wireless broadband, microsystems and Micro Electro Mechanical System (MEMS), advanced informatics, knowledge technology and micro energy.

Mimos is the recipient of Frost & Sullivans Growth Excellence Award 2007 for Industry Innovation & Advancement (Precision Agriculture) for its application and development of MEMS in the field of precision agriculture.