PC Maker Acer Buys Gateway
PC Maker Acer Buys Gateway
by , 9:40 AM EDT, August 27th, 2007
PC manufacturer Acer announced on Monday that it has entered into an agreement to purchase rival computer maker Gateway. Acer will purchase Gateway for US$1.90 a share, or about $710 million.
Gateway purchased low-end PC maker eMachines several years ago, which means Acer will now own that brand, too. Acer plans to use Gateway to strengthen its position in the U.S. PC market.
eMachines gained notoriety early on for selling sub-$600 computers in the late 1990's when rival PC makers offered systems starting just below $999. The company's below market prices spurred a price war that proved devastating for its competitors including HP, IBM, and Packard Bell.
The PC name roulette doesn't stop with Acer's purchase. Gateway will be exercising a first right of refusal to purchase all the shares of PB Holding Company, which is the parent company of the European PC maker Packard Bell BV. Gateway is also in negotiations to sell off its U.S.-based Professional business.
The Acer and Gateway deal is expected to be completed by December 2007.
Observer Comments
Amstrad -- Europe only
Atari -- nope, games only (plus several changes of ownership)
Dell
Epson -- no computers
Fujitsu
Genesi -- wow, no; Power-based development, no general purpose PCs, established in 2000
Hewlett-Packard
IBM -- no PCs in North America
NCR -- no PCs in North America
NEC Corporation
Silicon Graphics, Inc -- bankrupt last year
Sun Microsystems, Inc. -- not a PC maker
Texas Instruments -- not a PC maker
Tulip Computers NV -- Europe only
4 out of 14 isn't so good, daemon
Mon Aug 27, 2007 7:32 pm Subject:
QuoteGuest wrote:
Amstrad -- Europe only
So what?
QuoteThey still exsistAtari -- nope, games only (plus several changes of ownership)
QuoteDell
Epson -- no computers
Epson makes computers, as point of sale devices, but they're still computers.
QuoteFujitsu
Genesi -- wow, no; Power-based development, no general purpose PCs, established in 2000
So what, they're still computers.
QuoteHewlett-Packard
IBM -- no PCs in North America
Servers, workstations, and supercomputers all count.
QuoteNCR -- no PCs in North America
I work on NCR devices, they count as computers
QuoteNEC Corporation
Silicon Graphics, Inc -- bankrupt last year
They didn't go out of business.
QuoteSun Microsystems, Inc. -- not a PC maker
Servers count.
QuoteTexas Instruments -- not a PC maker
Makes the most widely utilized computer parts for consumer electronics in the world.
QuoteTulip Computers NV -- Europe only
What is with you and Europe?
Quote4 out of 14 isn't so good, daemon
I'll give you Atari, since they did change hands a few times and ceased hardware sales. But it's bullshit to discount companies that operate outside the US, and if you're going to discount anything this isn't a PC, then Apple doesn't count either.
Tue Aug 28, 2007 12:13 am Subject:
C'mon, daemon. You know they were referring to PCs, as in Personal Computers. Servers do not count as personal computers. Neither do POS machines. Or the parts (TI).
Apple does make personal computers, as in computers for sale for individual use, as well as servers and workstations.
"A personal computer (PC) is a computer whose price, size, and capabilities make it useful for individuals." -wiki
True, not fair to exclude European manufacturers, but I believe Genesi was excluded because they were founded in 2000, not the '90s (semantics).
See the restatement of the question.
Tue Aug 28, 2007 9:36 am Subject:
Quotegslusher wrote:QuoteIntruder wrote:
True, not fair to exclude European manufacturers, but I believe Genesi was excluded because they were founded in 2000, not the '90s (semantics).
See the restatement of the question.
Actually, my original question referred to the mid '80s, e.g., 1984-1986.
Oops!
QuoteIntruder wrote:
C'mon, daemon. You know they were referring to PCs, as in Personal Computers. Servers do not count as personal computers. Neither do POS machines. Or the parts (TI).
Apple does make personal computers, as in computers for sale for individual use, as well as servers and workstations.
"A personal computer (PC) is a computer whose price, size, and capabilities make it useful for individuals." -wiki
True, not fair to exclude European manufacturers, but I believe Genesi was excluded because they were founded in 2000, not the '90s (semantics).
See the restatement of the question.
Bah. Are you telling me that I'm the only one with a Sun UltraSPARC I in my living room for pure fun and games?
Tue Aug 28, 2007 11:18 am Subject:
Tue Aug 28, 2007 4:39 pm Subject: The lessons of this story
This story supports what Apple has been doing in limiting the options to its product line.
* The problem for Gateway/eMachines is that they tried to get into too many different markets. They tried to appeal to every kind of computer buyer, including gamers. That is what led to less revenue and no profit. Why? Because they were competing with much bigger companies, Dell & HP. Or much more focused companies; Acer, Lenovo and Apple.
* Success in the middle tier PC companies is shown by Apple, Acer and Lenovo. What they offer from what I can see is middle of the road in terms of performance. (They don't cater to gamers for instance.)
* There are a lot of gamers who post on the web that Apple should have more computer models and offer all sorts of graphic cards. To me the final message of this move by Acer is that not every computer company can get into the gamer market. In fact some successful smaller/middle tier companies; Acer, Lenovo and Apple, are doing well by focusing their product lines to specific markets rather than trying to sell machines to everyone which Gateway unsuccessfully tried to do.
imho at least, BB
Tue Aug 28, 2007 10:20 pm Subject: One more lesson...
Wed Mar 19, 2008 12:14 pm Subject:
Mon Mar 31, 2008 5:04 pm Subject:
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