Sony announced plans in February to sell its VAIO PC business to Japan Industrial Partners. Now it looks like the transition should be complete by July 1st.
That’s when a new entity called VAIO Corporation is expected to launch… and when Sony will officially be out of the PC business.
The Japanese electronics manufacturer has already largely shifted its mobile device focus to tablets and smartphones. And of course Sony still has its TV, game console, home audio, and camera divisions. But the VAIO brand will live on… in Japan.
Over the past few years, Sony has had a hard time keeping up with the competition in the stagnant PC market. While some of the company’s latest laptops have been pretty solid devices, they’ve struggled to stand out in a crowded field… especially given Sony’s traditional practice of trying to charge premium prices for premium design at a time when PC prices seem to be trending downward.
The VAIO Corporation’s efforts to turn things around will start at home. The new company is expected to market its products to Japanese customers initially, and it could be a while before we start to see new VAIO products offered in other countries… if we ever do again.
but what about us in the usa who have purchased this product
At least Vaio brand is still alive.
Wow now all those Sony machines that folks pay to much for will soon just be regular machines that folks will still pay too much for.
Nope, they’ll be shutting down sales of any VAIO outside of Japan. No clear indication as to where the new company will position their computers. VAIOs are pretty pricey right now, but there will need to be some sorta fire sale… right?
To be transparent, I use a SVS13. Good, solid, well-built computer which really just needed a better screen (can be modded in), though maybe I should have waited for a Gigabyte P34G instead…
What’s the difference between a PC and tablet? I wonder especially in regards to Windows 8 tablets. Will Sony still make those?