Microsoft, HCL Technologies unveil strategic initiatives, cheapest Windows-powered laptop

"India is a very important market for us and this partnership will show the commitment that we have towards this market in terms of increasing the penetration of IT," Turner said.

"India is the fastest growing market for Microsoft. We intend to be aggressive in this market and want people to understand our technology," he added.

According to Ravi Venkatesan, chairman, Microsoft India, "All three initiatives announced today are very significant to our continual efforts at partnering the Indian industry in its quest for success by leveraging the power of IT and enabling the uptake of IT across India."

Speaking about the MiLeap, which is installed with Windows XP (Home Edition), Ajai Choudhry, chairman and CEO, HCL Infosystems, said, "This has been launched on the feedback from customers. We asked Microsoft if they can introduce an OS that will fit this product. Microsoft has thus tweaked its OS in such a way that it can be used in these portable leaptops."

"HCL and Microsoft have always brought value to each other, while jointly working towards propelling wider acceptance for IT amongst the masses. Both HCL and Microsoft are key players in the Indian market, and this alliance has brought value to the Indian customer with over three decades of innovation, passion and defining of markets. I am sure that this alliance will further enable overall development in our country with IT as the key enabler," he added.

The financial details of the deals were not disclosed.