Biometric laptop expected to arrive in UAE market next month

Dubai: A new biometric laptop model that restricts unauthorised access by means of facial recognition is expected to hit the UAE market next month, RCG officials said.

RCG's SecureBook Fx9 also secures the product from possible theft as it is powered by RFID technology that tracks its location, ideal for corporates to protect them.

"This is the first of its kind technology and we are bringing this to the region where we see a strong demand for such products," said Lee Boon Han, chief executive officer of RCG.

"The facial recognition and RFID makes SecureBook Fx9 the most secure laptop in the world and is ideal for corporates as well as home users," he added.

Most companies nowadays allow their executives to carry their laptops both on domestic and foreign assignments.

"Embedding the technology prohibits a thief from using it as the machine won't respond," Han said.

"Besides, the RFID technology helps to track down the location of the laptop in case of a theft. We are finalising the distributorship for the UAE and expect it to be in the market in a month's time."

RCG, a Hong Kong headquartered company, produces personal computers at its plant in Malaysia. The London Stock Exchange-listed company last year recorded $50 million in sales.

"We expect to sell at least 50,000 units in the first year in the UAE," Han said.

"Based on the response, we also plan to set up our office and a customer service facility here to serve the end-users in a better way," he added.

The company is currently working on how to embed GPS (Global Positioning System) into the laptop's system that will help owners to track the machine globally.

"GPS is the next big step for us as it will ensure global coverage. Besides, we are also talking to other laptop manufacturers to supply the technology to power their notebooks," he said.

"This way, the technology will be available to all future buyers," he added.

The company hopes to finalise the distributorship agreements for the UAE market quickly.