Here’s how the PC industry has evolved over the years

How has the PC industry evolved over the years?
The industry was undoubtedly flourishing, but with the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, it has experienced a resurgence. The PC industry has gone through a new cycle in which it has returned to being a vital device in people’s lives. It was once questioned if smartphones would replace PCs, but today, the two have proven to be mutually beneficial. For us, it is an exciting time to capture the market’s value. We have many strategies and have observed several prosperous areas, such as gaming and educational devices. Green PC is now available, which is environmentally friendly and thoughtfully designed to adapt to sustainability and the planet’s needs.

What do you have to say about the supply chain issues? How is Acer keeping up with it, and has it affected your sales?
We had supply chain challenges, but we also increased our top line by 30 per cent in two years. The pandemic drove us to be nimble and to be smart to allocate resources in the appropriate market, at the right time, and in the right sectors. Gaming was prioritised along with sub-segments such as education. Basic PCs were in limited supply; however, demand shifted because people required better camera capabilities for video conferencing on their PCs. So, while the infamous semiconductor shortage isn’t entirely gone, it’s significantly improved.

Tell us about your new product line-up.
While Chromebooks continue to be a source of innovation, our top priority is the green PC. We employ 30 per cent PCR plastic in the chassis, which reduces CO2 emissions by roughly 21 per cent. PCR plastics, which are made from post-consumer resins, are environmentally benign, more sustainable, and minimise landfill trash. We also add PCR on the keycaps. We also don’t paint or apply stickers on the chassis. We use standardised screws for easy repairs, upgrades, and recycling. Furthermore, the paint-free chassis reduces the harmful effects of VOCs. Meanwhile, the gaming segment devices account for 20-25 per cent of our revenue.

What are your thoughts on the decline in sales of Chromebooks?
Chromebook has been a device of choice in certain markets. The drop in Chromebook sales is not a fundamental issue. I believe it is because the demand in the education sector has been so tremendous. We believe Chromebooks will still have a significant role to play in the market in the long run. However, there will be some short-term turmoil.

In the future, does Acer plan to get into smartphone segments?
To be honest, no. We introduced a ruggedised tablet range last year, which has proven to be popular. So we’ve had some success, but it’s a niche market. However, I believe there are well-established firms in the mobile phone business, and it is a highly competitive sector. As a result, we’d instead focus on other aspects of service software. We’re also looking at alternative business models, such as leasing PCs.

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