Acer’s Founder Recommends Microsoft Stick With Software

Posted 07/08/2012 at 9:43am | by Justin Kerr

12

Comments

Print

The entire Fourth of July week is a bit of a write off news wise when it comes to the US tech industry, but while the boys in Redmond were enjoying some well-deserved R&R, Acer was on the attack. Company founder Stan Shih went on record with his thoughts about the Microsoft Surface, and lets just say they weren’t the most diplomatic. 

"I think Microsoft's getting involved in the hardware business is designed to promote its Windows 8 [operating system]," he said, echoing a similar comment made back in June. "But I sincerely recommend they withdraw from the hardware market when they get what they want." Shih further clarified by saying Microsoft shouldn’t be competing with hardware partners, especially because they are their biggest business partners. "I think they will consider and decide the best solution for themselves," he said.

Shih comments were part of a larger interview discussing the state of the PC industry, and was partially an attempt to explain sluggish PC sales at the expense of a budding tablet market. Shih acknowledged that the market is changing, but claims Acer laptops will always have a place on the market. "For students, laptops with keyboards will still be the best choice," Shih said.

Microsoft’s decision to release hardware is a bolder than usual move for the gang in Redmond, and it will be really interesting to see how it plays out. At the end of the day hardware partners might feel a bit betrayed, but Microsoft it would seem has the stronger hand. Linux has its fan’s, but let’s face it, Acer is going to be using Windows for the foreseeable future, regardless of what Microsoft releases now or in the future.