Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer visits Acer and Asus
Staff Reporter 2012-12-08 16:52
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. (Internet photo)
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer's visit to Taiwanese technology leaders Acer and Asus has fueled speculation as rumors circulate that the US software giant will expand its presence in the hardware domain, the Chinese-language Commercial Times reported on Dec. 8.
Ballmer's arrival in Taiwan on Dec. 7 was confirmed by the company, although he did not have any public appearances. The paper reported that Ballmer visited Taiwan for the first time at the end of 2009 when the company was launching Windows 7. Prior to his arrival in Taiwan, Ballmer met with Lenovo CEO Yang Yuanqing in Beijing.
The paper reports the Ballmer will stay in Taipei over the weekend to meet executives from Acer and Asus and that Microsoft has been considering a hardware manufacturing agreement with the two Taiwanese PC makers to begin sometime during the third quarter next year.
Microsoft's introduction of its own tablet computer, the Surface, in June worried competitors. Acer has made public comments that as a Microsoft partner, Acer was not happy to see its partner make a bold step in to the hardware market.
Ballmer said in response, however, that the firm's move into hardware production is a done deal and will not retreat. He also complained that the lack of similar tablet products might be a reason why Windows 8 yet to see serious uptake.
The Surface, has to date not been as popular as expected, something which has also relieved hardware firms, the paper said.
