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Acer Warns Microsoft That Hardware Business is Tough Food

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Taiwanese PC maker compares computer manufacturing to food.

Taiwanese computer developer Acer has criticized Microsoft for its push to compete with its hardware partners, particularly in the tablet market through Surface.

According to a translation from Google, Acer's manager of Greater China operations Linxian Lang compared making hardware to food. He said the process is essentially "hard rice" that's "not so easy to eat."

While the translation is filled with errors, Acer's general statement directed towards Microsoft is clear. The former wants the software giant to stick solely to its software and allow Acer and fellow hardware makers to build products that run on Windows.

Due to Microsoft focusing on establishing its hardware business with the introduction of Surface, partners have stressed that the software supplier "will no longer be concerned about its downstream partners' thoughts or complaints."

Acer, who delayed its Windows RT plans to witness how Microsoft's Surface tablet performs in the market, recently stressed the importance of touch through Windows 8-powered products.

The PC maker itself has invested considerably into Windows 8 devices: the W700 Windows 8 11.6-inch tablet PC, 7-inch Iconia A110 tablet, W700P, W510P Windows 8 Pro tablets, accompanied by ultrabooks and notebooks.

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10 Comments Comment from the forums
  • cscott_it
    Why I think Microsoft got into hardware:

    MS: "Well, we'd like you to make something really cool. Something different."
    Acer: "That's too expensive. Instead we were thinking like a clamshell plastic case with 'X'"
    MS: "That's not a very inciting buy and the quality is kind of subpar"
    Acer: "Yeah - too bad you don't make anything. Guess you should just deal with it. You don't know what it's like to make hardware. Everyone wants hard plastic. It's the new milled aluminum."

    I know Acer has had a pretty rough last few quarters, but maybe they should take that sign to reinvent themselves rather than continue to churn out low quality stuff. Just my thoughts though.
    Reply
  • gtvr
    I guess it would be finger food, then.
    Reply
  • may1
    On basis of economics, MSFT has the power to decide on the final markup, meaning, prices will be optimal for society. Then again, this is just theory so we'll see whether consumers have truly benefited from the option of Surface.

    BUT THIS DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN JUST DITCH THE UI THAT'S BEEN PROVED TO BE OPTIMAL AND GO FOR SOMETHING ABSURD THAT SAVVY PC USERS ABSOLUTELY HATE.
    Reply
  • azraa
    Well if that comes from Acer I guess they are being honest.
    After all, there are other hardware companies (ASUS, WesternDigital, MSi, you name it) that beat Acer to their knees with their products and research/developments.

    Easy to say that when your company sucks.
    Now, dont bash it on me. I speak on personal experience, most Acer laptops are a pain in the ass. Usually the ones with most of the hardware failures and warranty claims.
    Reply
  • aicom
    Acer complaining about Microsoft being in the hardware market again.... Other companies didn't care because they found niches that weren't covered by the Surface and built products to cater to those markets. Even so, it's not like Microsoft is going to withdraw after already building and releasing a product. More complaining at this point is just making Acer look even worse.

    Here's an idea Acer: Build a tablet with the build quality and hardware of the Nexus 7, install Windows RT on it, and sell it for under $300.
    Reply
  • serendipiti
    In fact, Microsoft is the first software company that succeeded in the hardware segment (XBox) without dying in the try...
    Reply
  • dameon51
    bugidugiToms, come on , its old news ! i even saw it in the israeli sites in Hebrew , do you know how much time it took them to translate the "quote"? according to the links of this page it should be news: http://www.tomshardware.com/news/A 18918.htmlReally after .com you have /News the site is getting outdated more and more everyday. (Unless there is a mega Apple event.)I never heard about this specifically. Just because you read it on some other site doesn't mean the whole entire world has. Bugger off.
    Reply
  • Gundam288
    serendipitiIn fact, Microsoft is the first software company that succeeded in the hardware segment (XBox) without dying in the try...Didn't they make computer peripherals before that? Like the Mircosoft Sidewinder? Granted it wasn't as successful as the 1st xbox was, but they did make hardware before that.
    Reply
  • Pinhedd
    Acer's statements would carry more weight if they weren't the Denny's of the IT industry
    Reply
  • joe gamer
    aicomAcer complaining about Microsoft being in the hardware market again.... Other companies didn't care because they found niches that weren't covered by the Surface and built products to cater to those markets. Even so, it's not like Microsoft is going to withdraw after already building and releasing a product. More complaining at this point is just making Acer look even worse.Here's an idea Acer: Build a tablet with the build quality and hardware of the Nexus 7, install Windows RT on it, and sell it for under $300.
    The problem with this mindset is that Acer, and every other hardware manufacturer who wants to make a windows tablet HAS to pay Microsoft for the OS license. This give the Microsoft hardware an advantage since they have lower costs they can easily undercut anything another company brings to the market. They literally CANNOT make something the same or better at a similar price. Apple makes their own hardware BUT they don't license the OS, MS is trying to have it's cake and eat it to, charging other companies licensing fees while also taking a bite out of their market, If I was a tablet manufacturer I'd make the shittiest windows tablets possible so people will associate win 8 tablets with a crappy experience(probably wont hurt the surface sales but will hurt the surface II sales) and dump all my quality R&D into badass android tablets.
    Reply