[3GScottishUser]

'Let them get on with it,' says Acer boss

From T3 Magazine:

Laptop and netbook specialist Acer has ruled out creating a competitor to the Apple iPad tablet, claiming it is more focused on producing a top notch line of ultra-thin laptops

In a rather refreshing and honest interview, Acer Taiwan President Scott Lin says that while Apple's product portfolio and online purchasing presence is perfectly suited to the tablet, others who try to copy their success will likely come up way short.

He said: "Apple has built its business out of carving its own niche, which means that while Apple could see success with devices like the iPad, other players are unlikely to be able to replicate its result simply by copying."

Lin was also quick to point out that his company feels totally unthreatened by the tablet, claiming the two devices are not competing for the same space in the market.

So, Lin and co are leaving Apple to get on with it, with Acer's focus for 2010 being on a new range of laptops under 2cm thick. Well, we'll certainly be on the lookout for those

http://www.t3.com/news/acer-opts-out-of-tablet-race-to-focus-on-ultra-thin-laptops?=43447

[miffed]

Nice to see Acer are not doing their own thing , rather than simply copying Apple products ... Laptops under 20mm eh ? Imagine that ?

(Posted on my 19.4mm MBA ;) )

[Ben]

No point anyone else copying the iPad when the iPad is running a highly touch-customised OS that accesses ~140,000 vetted applications plus books and music and integrates so perfectly into the iTunes ecosystem.

If the iPad was just a tablet computer then this would be surprising, but it's not, so it isn't.

And it will cannibalise netbook sales, because, well, netbooks suck ;)

[3GScottishUser]

Netbooks are absolutely fine for purpose.

I take mine on trips, especially on Ryanair as it only weighs 1Kg and it provides full PC functionality with connectivity for hotel LCD TV displays etc.

The iPad might be fun to use but it lacks the functionality to be able to connect a digital camera and be able to edit photos as it has no SD Card slot.

It also fails to allow connection to an external display.

There is a lot a netbook can do that a bloated IPod Touch can't perform and when I travel and weight is a consideration the greater the flexibility the better.

[Hands0n]

I think Acer are bang on target with their assessment of the iPad and Apple, also their speculation on their chances of success by chasing that particular dragon. I think they are correct in their assessment that " ... other players are unlikely to be able to replicate its result simply by copying."

It is pointless comparing the iPad with a laptop or netbook, they are clearly different species entirely. Regardless of its lack of connectivity the iPad is going to be a success simply because of what it does (and it isn't "a bloated iPhone" by any stretch) and the market that it is intended for.

It is very refreshing to see Acer taking such a mature view of things. I, for one, am eager to see what they can produce that is less than 20mm