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Industry News

Microsoft enters PC retailing market

By Justin Mann, TechSpot.com
Published: June 28, 2007, 4:58 PM EST
Microsoft crafted their empire with software. Operating systems, office suites, desktop productivity – it made them one of the most successful companies in the world. They have expanded greatly since their inception decades ago, and increasingly are seen at the front of the digital entertainment market as well, with their consoles and publishing of many games for other companies.

They are no stranger to hardware, either, crafting Microsoft-branded keyboards, mice, gamepads and a slim variety of other hardware. However, it has long been a more bit part of their business – until now. Microsoft is for the first time ever going to be selling desktop computers. Launching initially in India, their PCs are part of their Unlimited Potential program, which intends to foster technology growth in developing nations.

They intend to deploy it on a small scale at first, then see if there is enough motivation to sustain it over a longer period:

"We don't see any gain in the short term. Our perspective is long term," Microsoft India chairman Ravi Venkatesan said in a statement. "The IQ PC offerings are supported by a host of partners, both hardware and software, who have extensive experiences, understanding and are leaders in their area of operations."
This “IQ PC” will of course come bundled with a plethora of Microsoft software. Given that their overall goal seems to tap into largely unused markets, as the article brings it out is unlikely they will enter into the PC retail business in nations that already have strong markets. Don't expect to see a Microsoft PC next to an HP or Dell at a retail store, but it is interesting nevertheless to see them launching such a project.

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User Comments (8)

Post a comment
MetalX
on June 28, 2007
8:49 PM
Wow. I see another way MS is trying to suck as much profit as possible out of anyone and everyone. They're going to start selling in third world countries soon...

thebaronjocelin
on June 28, 2007
10:30 PM
They aren't sucking profit from those countries. They want future Microsoftlings in these outsourcable countries to be well acquainted with the inner workings of Microsoft products.

Jibberish18
on June 29, 2007
12:51 AM
Didn't Microsoft enter the PC selling market a while back with "Gateway" computers?

thrudd
on June 29, 2007
8:14 AM
I see this more as a pre-emptive strike against the basic PC for everyone else that we keep hearing about. And that thing uses Linux.
Anything to maintain the monopoly and the straglehold on the user base.

fornacis
on June 29, 2007
9:26 AM
Go Uncle Bill GO! To the $$ Cave!!

..whats wrong about making money?

labrat611
on June 29, 2007
7:32 PM
Why does everyone have to be so negative?\!
I myself happen to be a self-proclaimed Microsoft evangelist . . . proclaiming the good news of vista -_*

Any way Gates and his wife do have the largest charity in the world so its not like he is hording all of the $$

Julio
on June 29, 2007
8:00 PM
I agree that the negativity is unjustified. They are trying to penetrate in markets where the PC is not as widespread as it could be. Their program is for budget level computers, too, meaning they want to con somewhat other similar efforts based on Linux.

Their gain is the continued Windows adoption, not the PC sold per se.

Mictlantecuhtli
on June 30, 2007
10:00 AM
Originally posted by labrat611:
Any way Gates and his wife do have the largest charity in the world so its not like he is hording all of the $$
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has nothing to do with Microsoft.

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