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Topic: Tablets

Acer CEO Lanci resigns: In search of an aggressive tablet strategy

Summary: Acer CEO Gianfranco Lanci resigned and Chairman J.T. Wang will take over as interim chief. Lanci apparently disagreed with Acer's board about the development and future of the company.

Larry Dignan

By for Between the Lines |

Acer CEO Gianfranco Lanci resigned Friday and Chairman J.T. Wang will take over as interim chief.

Lanci apparently disagreed with Acer's board about the development and future of the company.

In a statement, Acer said:

On the company’s future development, Lanci held different views from a majority of the board members, and could not reach a consensus following several months’ of dialog. They placed different levels of importance on scale, growth, customer value creation, brand position enhancement, and on resource allocation and methods of implementation.

So what was the problem? Reading between the lines hints strongly that Lanci and the Acer board disagreed on a tablet strategy and how aggressive the company should be. This Wang statement tells the tale:

The personal computer remains the core of our business. We have built up a strong foundation and will continue to expand within, especially in the commercial PC segment. In addition, we are stepping into the new mobile device market, where we will invest cautiously and aim to become one of the leading players.

Note the wording: Acer is "stepping into the new mobile device market," but will "invest cautiously."

That doesn't sound like Acer is going to make a big tablet play. Acer will dabble in tablets for the most part. In fact, Acer sounds a bit content. The company noted that Acer has good relationships with partners, will push for globalization and work with channel partners.

The result of all those good relationships: The dual-touchscreen Iconia, a device that looks interesting until you realize it weighs 6 pounds.

Wang concluded:

Acer needs a period of time for adjustment. With the spirit of entrepreneurship, we will face new challenges and look to the future with confidence.

How much time does Acer really need here. Technology isn't a walk in the park. After all, Acer's competition just ballooned as tablets take off. Acer is used to the likes of HP, Dell and traditional PC players. Today, Acer battles that usual cast and the likes of Apple, HTC, Samsung and Motorola as tablets take off.

Related:

Acer launches dual-screen tablet-notebook

Acer Iconia Tab A501 hands-on (photos)

Topics: Tablets, CXO, Hardware, Laptops, Mobility

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18 comments
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  • Reading between the lines?

    [i] Reading between the lines hints strongly that Lanci and the Acer board disagreed on a tablet strategy and how aggressive the company should be[/i]

    How so? Reading between the lines you could say he wasn't happy with his year end bonus from that statement
    Will Farrell
    Reply Vote

    • You don't spend "several monthsâ?? of dialog"

      @Will Farrell On bonuses. The fact that they [i]"placed different levels of importance on scale, growth, customer value creation, brand position enhancement, and on resource allocation and methods of implementation"[/i] means that they were fighting over basic strategy, and in those cases it's hard to win unless you're CEO [b]and[/b] Chairman.
      matthew_maurice
      Reply Vote

  • To agressively go after the tablet market, they need to ditch Windows and

    x86. The only way to hit price points, battery life, and functionality is to go with Arm/Linux, probably Android would be the best bet.
    DonnieBoy
    Reply Vote

    • Which is why your not running a company Donnieboy

      @DonnieBoy

      Android tablets are out there with TONs of models to choose from, and everybody's still going after iPad.

      This is VERY telling - they're only using Android because they don't have anything else to choose from. Very sad.
      Will Farrell
      Reply Vote

    • Linux has yet to prove success in Tablets

      I think Linux has yet to prove success in he Tablet's. It has done well in Phones which I have always said was a better place for Linux. But Tablets are closer to a computer and like Netbooks which failed with Linux on them. I am skeptical if Tablets will be any different. If Tablet makers have any hope of attracting Enterprise Linux is not the way to go. Apple's iPad controls the consumer demand for Tablets. The others need to concentrate on enterprise. Which Apple has already had a head start on. But I think Windows has a stronger base. Focusing too much on Linux with hardware meant to coexist with Windows software on a Enterprise level is not a good direction.
      jscott418-22447200638980614791982928182376
      Reply Vote

  • The board is doing its job.....

    even if they may end up being wrong.

    And that 6 pound hatchet job costs how much? That is definitely an inelegant solution. Who's idea was that? The Board's or Gianfranco's.
    Economister
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Acer CEO Lanci resigns: In search of an aggressive tablet strategy

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  • Exclusive

    Lanci should start a club devoted to "CEOs who got fired over tablets."

    Right now he'd be the only member. But it's a growth opportunity. Who knows, Ballmer might be next.
    Robert Hahn
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Acer CEO Lanci resigns: In search of an aggressive tablet strategy

      @Robert Hahn It's a fad, like netbooks. The consumers will wake up like they did with netbooks and ask themselves why they bought an underpowered device they never really intended to carry around with them and it'll all be over. The market had no interest in tablets before the Apple Hype Machine started in about them, and they'll lose interest when the buzz wears off. "It's a laptop - but less!" or "It's a phone - but bigger! And without the phone!" won't bamboozle people for too long.
      jgm@...
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Acer CEO Lanci resigns: In search of an aggressive tablet strategy

        @jgm@...

        <i>The market had no interest in tablets before the Apple Hype Machine started in about them, and they'll lose interest when the buzz wears off.</i>

        That's because all tablets prior were hot, heavy, and expensive (ie much more expensive than equivalent laptop) and had poor battery life. In this case "It's a laptop but less!" is exactly what was needed.

        Hardware is getting better all the time though. Once you get to the point where you can get the full desktop OSes (2-3 years maybe?) onto iPad like hardware with iPad like battery life the current "big phone OS" may get relegated to niche status.
        SlithyTove
        Reply Vote

      • RE: Acer CEO Lanci resigns: In search of an aggressive tablet strategy

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  • RE: Acer CEO Lanci resigns: In search of an aggressive tablet strategy

    Sorry looser, Apple is not hiring so go pound sand.
    james347
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Acer CEO Lanci resigns: In search of an aggressive tablet strategy

      @james347

      Actually, the loser here seems like it is the Acer board. Lanci is probably right that they need a serious tablet answer.
      SlithyTove
      Reply Vote

  • Acer is the Dell of New

    Unfortunately Acer has a identity crisis. They have flooded the market with so many cheap models that their image is hurting. Much like Dell Acer suffers from poor Customer service and quality issues with products. i guess it was a good way to get your products in people's hands. But will they want another one?
    jscott418-22447200638980614791982928182376
    Reply Vote

  • Finally....

    Maybe someone will take over a lead Acer out of selling these crappy systems. I know of a few who bought these duds for computers. Noise issues. Battery issues. Acer selling laptops with memory installed made for XP - not Vista or Windows 7. Acer stuff is pure junk.
    Gis Bun
    Reply Vote

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