Fujitsu: weak Windows 8 demand means we'll miss target
updated 08:59 pm EST, Sun December 30, 2012
Fujitsu blames soft Windows 8 demand for weak PC sales
Fujitsu President Masami Yamamoto blamed weak demand for Microsoft's newest operating system for soft PC sales, telling reporters that that weak demand would cause Fujitsu to miss its annual shipment target for personal computers. For the year ending March 31, Fujitsu may ship more than six million units, well below an estimate of seven million given in October of this year. Fujitsu's struggles typify those of much of the rest of the PC industry, where only Microsoft seems have generated any traction with its newest operating system.
As Businessweek reports, US retail sales of Windows devices dropped 21 percent year-over-year in the four weeks after Windows 8 was released. Customers are increasingly opting for tablets such as Apple's iPad or other options powered by Google's Android platform instead of purchasing traditional PCs.
Microsoft's Windows 8 platform was meant to counteract this trend, implementing a touch-centric interface. The Redmond company's Surface device, though, appears to be the only Windows 8 device to see significant sales.
Amid these struggles, Fujitsu doesn't plan to begin discounting units in order to sustain sales. The company is shifting its focus to information technology services, which may help it deal with losses in its electronics segments. Fujitsu is also looking to cut costs by about $11.6 billion for the three years from the 12 months ending March 31, 2013. The company plans to do so by lowering purchasing costs and moving systems engineers to other divisions.
