To All, Hewlett-Packard just announced that they plan to become the number 1 pc company in the business market by 2001. Though that seems awfully ambitious, it is hard to laugh in their face. In 1993, they planned to go from #11 to the top five by 1997. Guess what? They are #3, behind Compaq and IBM and ahead of Dell and Toshiba. Of course, they were helped by Packard-Bell and Apple shooting themselves in the foot. -g-
The announcement on this story was very strange and shows how tech geeks delude themselves. Basically, the story said that this was a tough goal, but Hewlett was doing everything right in the pc business. HUH????? Isn't this the same co. that missed its last 3 quarters due to the fact that they were getting creamed on prices in the pc business? If that's doing things right, they'd better not stumble. -g-
OK, let's see. Compaq is number one. Dell plans to become #1. IBM says they will eat their children to maintain market share. Toshiba is growing very quickly and came from nowhere to #5. Hewlett is going to be #1. Fujitsu, the world's second largest computer co (not pc co.) plans to be in the top 5 in pc sales. So does Hitachi.
Gateway and MUEI plan large offensives in the business area. CompUSA is making computers and will be starting a mail order firm to compete with Dell. Yes, I've owned puts in the past, but CPU is a very good retailer.
Does anyone else count more than one #1 on that list? -g-
If you think pricing is not going to fall to breakeven this downcycle, give it some more thought. It's already there for Gateway. -g- MB |
