Lenovo in talks to buy Packard Bell.

[ryengineer]

NEW YORK, Aug 7 (Reuters) - Lenovo Group Ltd. (0992.HK: Quote, Profile, Research), the world's third-largest maker of personal computers, said on Tuesday it is in talks to buy European personal computer maker Packard Bell BV through an independent third party.

While no definitive deal has been reached, Lenovo said it is negotiating with the independent third party, which its does not name, as well as working with other parties or government bodies "in preparation for the entering into of definitive agreements for such proposed acquisition."

Lenovo notes that no deal may materialize.

Representatives of Packard Bell were not immediately available for comment. According to a report in the Hong Kong Economic Journal, Lenovo is battling with Taiwan rival Acer Inc. (2353.TW: Quote, Profile, Research) to buy Packard Bell.

Acer said in April that it planned to buy a PC company in three to five months to win more market share and accelerate growth. The company has declined to identify a potential target, saying only that it would not be a U.S. or Taiwan company.

Lenovo, one of a handful of Chinese firms trying to forge a global brand by investing abroad, dropped to fourth place globally in the first three months of 2007 but has now reclaimed the No. 3 slot from Acer in a closely fought battle, according to data from researchers Gartner and IDC.

According to another report in the Hong Kong Economic Journal, Lenovo is battling with its Taiwan rival Acer Inc. to buy Packard Bell.

[GomJabbar]

From acquiring the best to acquiring the worst?

[Tholek]

Assuming they get it, are they going to reintroduce the brand in North America?

[tphi]

It's a good move.
A lot of store sell Packard Bell (at least in Europe).

- get the brand
- replace the machines by lenovo 3000 series
- ????
- profit

[pianowizard]

Just curious, how many Americans on this forum still own a Packard Bell machine? I still do! In fact, I still had three until last year, but I discarded two of them. The one in my signature is the one I have kept.

[tfflivemb2]

Just curious, how many Americans on this forum still own a Packard Bell machine? I still do! In fact, I still had three until last year, but I discarded two of them. The one in my signature is the one I have kept.

I believe that I still have four sitting under my work bench. They still work, but I have no use for them, since they are 486 machines....

[Tholek]

I threw out three in the last few months. One was a weird NLX model that was L shaped. I only held on to them as long as I did it the hope of using them as retro cases for new systems. Was too much trouble, so I tossed them. I liked the designs though.

[mattbiernat]

I remember one of my friends gettings Packard Bell. He was laughing at me that I got cheap eMachine. Well his Packard Bell died after 2 years. Mine lasted 7 years.

[pianowizard]

I remember one of my friends gettings Packard Bell. He was laughing at me that I got cheap eMachine.

I thought Packard Bell desktops were even cheaper than eMachines ones, no?

[ryengineer]

are they going to reintroduce the brand in North America?

They could, but AFAIK chances are very slim.

[elite-elitist]

From acquiring the best to acquiring the worst?

They are diversifying!

[wackydan]

Very strategic move I guess to maintain share over Acer in Europe... Might end up being as much a "customer" buy as it may be Lenovo wanting their portfolio of MP3 players, GPS, TV's etc for consumer offerings.

I highly doubt they'll maintain the Packard Bell brand in the long term.