SHARE
Facebook X Pinterest WhatsApp

Acer to Join Apple in Tablet Computer, E-Reader Market

Acer (TPE:2353) plans to introduce an e-reader tablet computer and an online apps store by the middle of 2010, joining a field that grows more crowded every day. Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) is expected to introduce its long-rumored tablet computer this week. Acer told Bloomberg of its plans during an interview last week. The company is also […]

Written By
thumbnail Jessica Davis
Jessica Davis
Jan 25, 2010
Channel Insider content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More

Acer (TPE:2353) plans to introduce an
e-reader tablet computer and an online apps store by the middle of 2010,
joining a field that grows more crowded every day. Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL)
is expected to introduce its long-rumored tablet computer this week.

Acer told
Bloomberg of its plans
during an interview last week. The company is also
said to be planning to introduce a netbook in 2010.

“[The tablet and e-reader market] is an emerging market that has many
similarities to the laptop market, and it will likely cannibalize that market
somewhat,” Enderle Group principal analyst Rob Enderle told Channel Insider.

“So, assuming these things take off, it would be wise for most PC vendors to be
looking at it and most are,” he said. “Acer is one of the most aggressive
of the PC vendors, and it is clear they aren’t letting this one slide.”

Acer could not immediately be reached for comment on whether the new devices will
be available for sale through its reseller channel partners.

Acer had won
much favor with reseller channel partners
over the years as a
channel-friendly PC maker. But the company’s moves into retail markets may
have eroded some of that good will over the past few years. Still, Acer
introduced a new program for partners
last summer, designed to reward those
who showed a commitment to Acer.

Also last summer Acer
introduced a new nettop PC aimed at business users
and sold through the
company’s reseller channel. It priced at less than $400 and is equipped with an
Intel Atom processor.

BusinessWeek
noted that Acer was actually a pioneer in the tablet market
, but was ahead
of its time, finding that consumer appetites for the device were low when it
was introduced in 2002.

Recommended for you...

Manny Rivelo on Evolving Channel & How MSPs Can Get Ahead
Victoria Durgin
Aug 20, 2025
Databricks Raises at $100B+ Valuation on AI Momentum
Allison Francis
Aug 20, 2025
Keepit Achieves SOC 2 Type 1 & Canadian Ingram Micro Deal
Jordan Smith
Aug 20, 2025
AI Customer Service Fails to Satisfy Consumer Needs: Verizon
Franklin Okeke
Aug 19, 2025
Channel Insider Logo

Channel Insider combines news and technology recommendations to keep channel partners, value-added resellers, IT solution providers, MSPs, and SaaS providers informed on the changing IT landscape. These resources provide product comparisons, in-depth analysis of vendors, and interviews with subject matter experts to provide vendors with critical information for their operations.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2025 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.