Digital and lifestyle distributor, Esquire Technologies – the 2012 African distributor of the Year - has announced that it is to launch an entry-level tablet PC for children that is expected to retail for under R1 500.

This is according to Asgar Mahomed, managing director of Esquire Technologies, who said the decision to launch a tablet  "specifically aimed at kids" comes after requests from a number of its resellers – and after the successful launch of its own Geeko range of tablet PCs in June this year.

Since the launch of the Geeko tablet range almost 2 500 units have been sold.

Mahomed said the Geeko Kids tablet range will be a trimmed-down version of the company's existing Geeko tablets, coming with "a commensurate level of features" that will catapult it to "the top of this year' Christmas wish list"."Last year it was the year of the notebook – which sold very well over the festive season. 

Previously it was the year of the now defunct Netbook – which was also a big Christmas favourite in its day. But this Christmas it is going to be the time for the tablet."Mahomed said. The Geeko Kids is due for release by the fourth quarter of 2012.