Skip to main content

Acer to stop selling ‘cheap, unprofitable’ products, focus on Ultrabooks, says CEO

Acer-Aspire-S3-angle-lid-open
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The days of Acer being a low-end brand are coming to an end, according to the company’s chief executive, J.T. Wang, reports AllThingsD. Instead, the computer-maker is going to focus on producing ultrabooks, the super-thin laptops that mimic the design and portability of Apple’s increasingly popular MacBook Air line. The move comes after Acer suffered through two consecutive quarters of net losses.

“We will shift our strategy to improving profitability from pursuing market share blindly with cheap and unprofitable products,” said Wang in an interview with Dow Jones. “Ultrabooks will become our key growth driver next year as customers want a lighter, thinner notebook with longer battery life. Selling more ultrabooks will also help improve our profit margins as they command higher prices.”

According to Wang, the company hopes to increase sales of its laptops by 10 percent next year as it aims to once again turn a profit. Unfortunately for Acer, it looks as though the Ultrabook market will be a tough one in which to compete. At the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show in January, computer companies are expected to launch as many as 50 Ultrabook models — and that’s likely just the beginning. In addition, some analysts say it remains unclear whether Ultrabooks will actually help computer companies increase profits.

To get an idea of what Acer has in store in the Ultrabook department, check out our review of the Aspire S3, a 13.3-inch Ultrabook that’ll run you $100 less than a smaller MacBook Air.

Editors' Recommendations

Andrew Couts
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Features Editor for Digital Trends, Andrew Couts covers a wide swath of consumer technology topics, with particular focus on…
Here’s why people are saying to buy the M1 MacBook Air instead of the M2
Apple MacBook Air M1 open, on a table.

The once highly anticipated M2 MacBook Air is finally out. But despite how great the design looks, many potential buyers are instead turning to the M1 MacBook Air, a laptop that's nearly two years old.

Apple still sells it, of course, and as plenty of reviewers and commentators have pointed out, it may prove to be the better option for many people -- and there are three main reasons why.

Read more
Here’s why people are saying to avoid the $1,199 M2 MacBook Air
The keyboard of the MacBook Air.

Apple's latest MacBook Air with the new M2 chip has been controversial, to say the least. The new MacBook Air features a refreshed design and is the successor to the M1, Apple's new M2 system-on-a-chip.

But since the new M2 MacBook Air dropped, tech reviewers, experts, and regular people are saying you should avoid the base configuration of this new machine due to some pretty substantial performance issues. For a more affordable laptop, this is a frustrating bind that potential MacBook Air buyers are being put in.

Read more
M2 MacBook Air will hit stores on July 15, report says
MacBook Air with M2 chip seen over a purple background.

Apple’s new-look MacBook Air featuring the company’s latest M2 chip is set to go on sale on July 15, according to information obtained by MacRumors.

The report goes on to say that Apple’s updated laptop is expected to be available for pre-order on July 8, a week before it lands in stores.

Read more