Chinese computer-maker Lenovo Group, the fourth largest vendor of computers worldwide, has launched its new tablet computer LePad to take on Apple’s iPad and plans to launch two or three more new tablet computers later this year.

LePad, which is based on the Android 2.2 operating system, was launched in Shanghai with a starting price of 3,499 yuan ($533) against the iPad’s $800 price tag. LePad comes in two versions that support Wifi and 3G services.

For the time being, Lenovo said LePad will be sold only in China, but will be marketed internationally from June.

Mr Chen Xudong, Vice-President of the company, refused to provide sales forecasts for the LePad, but said the company plans to capture more than 30 per cent of China’s tablet computer market during the next two to three years.

He also said that Lenovo’s tablet computers will run between 5,000 and 8,000 applications by the end of the year.

Mr Chen said that Apple’s price-cutting strategy would put some pressure on companies such as Lenovo, but emphasised that Apple’s strategy has also hurt many of its sales partners in China, where the coverage of the Apple stores is still limited.

The recent earthquake in Japan has disrupted the supply chain for many technology companies and that may delay the Chinese debut of the iPad 2, he said.

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