Acer founder thinks US PC makers will go poof in 20 years

In a bold statement from the Taiwanese netbook and computer manufacturer, Acer founder Stan Shih commented on Taipei’s Commercial Times news that “US computer brands  may disappear over the next 20 years, just like what happened to US television brands.” He said that the trend will be for lower price computers and portables, something US makers don’t have the expertise to pull off.

It actually feels like something of a statement of fact, at least for me, rather than an open boast. Electronics is looking to be less and less the forte of US industries with Taiwanese, Chinese and Japanese brands slowly dominating the market. Even those local brands you see in the shelves are likely rebranded units from these same Asian manufacturers, often selling side by side with the originals.

I’m sure HP and Dell will have something to say about this but Acer did oust Dell from second place as the largest PC vendor in 2009. The Taiwanese company is also gunning to lead the pack and take HP’s smug number one spot next year as well, according to Acer CEO Gianfranco Lanci.

Acer probably didn’t consider Apple in its equation but 20 years is a long time and we’ll probably be all using Wavepads or other devices then.

source AFP via Google