Surface Tension Leads Acer To Suggest It Might Ditch Microsoft
Microsoft has already announced the release date for the Surface tablet along with Windows 8 operating system but this certainly does not mean Microsoft has settled its differences with its OEM (Original Equipment manufacturer) partners over bringing out its own hardware to the market, the Surface tablet. In an interview given by Acer CEO JT Wang to the Financial Times, he makes clear what his thoughts are regarding Microsoft and the Surface tablet.
Wang said that Microsoft’s plan to compete against Apple’s iPad would also mean unintentionally competing against other Windows 8 tablets, made by its own OEM partners and would have a “negative for the worldwide [computing] ecosystem.”
“We have said [to Microsoft] think it over,” he told the Financial Times. “Think twice. It will create a huge negative impact for the ecosystem and other brands may take a negative reaction. It is not something you are good at so please think twice.”, Wang told the Financial Times.
Another statement by Campbell Kan, Acer’s president for personal computer global operations clearly explains how bad the situation is on the whole. He said that Acer is having internal discussions to access a future threat by Microsoft if it goes further with its hardware ambitions. Kan went on as far as suggesting that Acer might start looking for other software partners. “If Microsoft … is going to do hardware business, what should we do? Should we still rely on Microsoft, or should we find other alternatives?,” Mr Kan said.
On Microsoft’s part, the software giant is fully aware of the growing tension amongst its OEM partners due to its decision. In fact, Microsoft itself has acknowledged the situation recently, stating in a financial report, “Our Surface devices will compete with products made by our OEM [original equipment manufacturer] partners, which may affect their commitment to our platform.”
Till now the Taiwanese hardware company, a leading PC manufacturer has been the only Microsoft OEM partner that has criticised it strongly and so openly. However, the true extent of the consequences of Surface for Microsoft will only come to the surface after the tablet is launched and after (if) it gains popularity.
