Kurt,
<<It seems as though maybe the Asian flu will help the pc and dd market in general in the long term. >>
Hyundai can't import components due to current economic conditions.
nikkeibp.asiabiztech.com
"However, the two companies have since suspended talks. This is due to profitability concerns because Hyundai must import components to make Compaq models in Korea."
Hyundai didn't have much of a market share to build on (I infer).
<<From Hyundai Electronics' standpoint, committing to further investment under the uncertain business outlook was too much of a burden when it was struggling to raise cash to keep its vast conglomerate afloat. Hyundai Electronics was trailing Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. TriGem Computer Inc., LG IBM PC Co. and Daewoo Telecom Ltd., with some 170 billion won in PC and printer sales during 1997. That's minuscule compared to the 3.5 trillion won sales of Hyundai Electronics as a whole.>>
Also: nikkeibp.asiabiztech.com
If you believe Asian Flu will eliminate some competition in the pc and dd sectors, I don't think so but would love to hear a discussion of the possibility.
An interesting interview I ran across in researching your question:
nikkeibp.asiabiztech.com
Excerpt:
<<Ohta: What kind of PC products do you plan to develop?
Idei: Sony is launching a virtual company called VAIO Center. The center is an internal task force with employees from various sections. Under the slogan, "If Sony produces it, a PC can be this fun," the center will make full use of ideas from various members to develop a Windows-based PC with advanced audio-video capabilities.
Ohta: PCs will play an important role in the digital age, right?
Idei: I think that Windows 95-, Windows 98-, and Windows NT-based PCs won't be purchased by more than 40 percent of all households.
It is unrealistic to think that every household will have at least one Windows-based PC some day, like televisions and radios.
The use of a PC is difficult to master, and PCs are not really made for consumers. Because PCs were originally developed for corporate use, they have reinforced capabilities to protect files and data. Consumers, however, do not need such capabilities.
Recently, I had a chance to talk with Bill Gates of Microsoft Corp. I learned that even Gates does not believe that Windows NT- based PCs will be widely used in homes. When digital televisions become more popular in the future, the role of Windows CE will become increasingly important for Microsoft.
Sony will strengthen its hardware and software development, and we will also strengthen our ties with Microsoft. And we plan to cooperate with Sun Microsystems Inc. in Java technology. Sony will not get involved in fights between Microsoft and Sun Microsystems. That is our stance. >>
irthrifty
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