Pioneer Computers heads to Japan and Big W

One of the available models is the DreamBook IL4, featuring 10.2inch TFT LCD, 160GB 2.5 hard disk drive, 1.6 Ghz processor and Microsoft Windows XP Home.

The products will be sold through a Japanese dealer called Star PC and is identical to the one sold in Big W Australia-wide.

In an interview with CRN, Jeff Li, managing director at Pioneer Computers, said the deal took a couple of months to complete.

“The Japanese market is renowned for its stringent quality control,” he said.

“Before we took the product over we had to get a Japanese operating system, keyboards and other peripherals tailored for that region.”

Li claimed that the tight Japanese economy has made room for less expensive, but good value products.

“The Japanese are very fussy on quality and the DreamBook is selling very well over there,” he said.

“There is space in that region because everything is so expensive and consumers want products at lower cost, without having to sacrifice quality.”

Li also sees opportunities for the notebook builder in the US, China, Middle East, Asia Pacific and Europe.

“We are looking in China and we have already some models selling over there.

“Customers in the US and Europe are already talking to us.

“Compared to the Australian market, there is still room for products like the DreamBook in those regions.”

Locally, Li has signed a deal with mass merchant retailer, BigW to sell Pioneer’s range of DreamBook notebooks.

“The deal was signed before Christmas 2008 and the retailer has already started to advertise the product on TV and through its catalogues,” he said.

Li claimed that notebooks are easier to sell overseas, because selling desktops would be a nightmare.

“There is too much freight,” he said.

“Notebooks are easier sell overseas because of its size.”

Despite the economic downturn, Li claimed Pioneer had quite a busy time during the Christmas period and has broken its own record in sales.
“It has been very crazy time,” he said.

“We now have the right product line and the right direction.

“We have been working very for the last 10/12 years and we are starting to see the returns.

“Also with Optima gone we are also getting some of their customers as well.”