Do More With Reuters
Partner Services

Taiwan's Acer to launch low-cost PCs this year-paper

Wed Feb 13, 2008 11:21am IST
 
Email | Print | | Single Page
[-] Text [+]

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan's Acer Inc, the world's No. 3 computer vendor, plans to start selling low-cost laptop PCs this year, following a recent strong reception for similar models from competitors, media reported on Wednesday.

Acer, which previously said it had not planned to sell cheap notebook computers, has changed course to develop PCs to target a new customer base, the Chinese-language Commercial Times quoted company Chairman J.T. Wang as saying.

The company planned to launch the PCs in the second or third quarter of this year, the report said.

It said that Acer was still developing the new model, which could be 7-9 inches wide, and could cost around $470.

Acer declined to comment on the report.

On Wednesday, shares of Acer had risen 2.39 percent to T$49.25 by 0256 GMT, outperforming the benchmark TAIEX index which advanced 0.72 percent.

Taiwan's Asustek Computer Inc, a competitor to Acer, launched its line of low-cost Eee PC laptops last year, with a price tag of as little as $200.

Acer said the new computers would not cannibalise its current business, as such models were aimed at low penetration markets such as PCs for children and developing markets, according to the report, echoing similar previous comments from Asustek.

Asustek has so far been successful in marketing and selling its child-friendly Linux-based notebook globally, although profit margins for the products are thin, analysts have said.  Continued...

India Investment Summit 2009
India Investment Summit 2009

Top executives and bankers discuss their own plans and the broader opportunities and challenges for India during the Reuters India Investment Summit in Mumbai and Bangalore.  Full Coverage | Blog 

editor's choice

Cross-post
Cross-post

LinkedIn and Twitter have linked up.  Full Article 

Big Opportunity
Big Opportunity

Nokia sees enormous potential in mobile money.  Full Article 

 
High Stakes
High Stakes

HP-3Com deal raises stakes in tech M&A battle.  Full Article 

Spending Freeze
Spending Freeze

Japan's freeze on supercomputers marks end of era.  Full Article 

 
Reuters correspondent Sourav Mishra recounts the unforgettable night of Nov. 26 at Mumbai's Leopold Cafe
Back from the Dead
REUTERS WITNESS - 26/11

Reuters correspondent Sourav Mishra recounts the night of Nov. 26 at Leopold Cafe.  Full Article | Full Coverage 

Photo
One Year Later

A look back at the events of 26/11 ahead of the first anniversary of the militant attacks in Mumbai that killed 166 people.  Slideshow | Full Coverage 

Photo
Ageing Santa gets $100,000 facelift for Christmas Friday, 20 Nov 2009 

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - A Santa in New Zealand with a droopy eye has received a NZ$100,000 ($74,000) face-lift in the run-up to Christmas so that his aging face does not scare children.  Full Article