Electronics companies like Lenovo, Asus and Acer ventured into the smartphone market after tasting success in PC business. But Xiaomi Corp. seems to be planning to do just the opposite – getting into laptop business following its success in mobile phones.
The Chinese smartphone manufacturer is planning to launch its first laptop in the first quarter of 2016, reported Bloomberg citing people with direct knowledge of the matter.
The source went on to say that Xiaomi's notebook will compete with premium computers like Apple's MacBook Air and Lenovo's ThinkPad.
A report by DigiTimes citing sources claimed that Xiaomi is currently developing the device jointly with its ODM partners Inventec and Foxconn. Sources went on to say that the Chinese smartphone maker's laptop may measure 15-inch, run on Linux operating system and will be priced at CNY2,999 ($471).
It is also said that Xiaomi will collaborate with Samsung for its laptop chips.
Xiaomi's first laptops may hit store shelves next year...and Samsung's a chip supplier. Full story soon @ddukshiali @tculpan @biancavtoness
— Edwin Chan (@edwininla) September 2, 2015
Xiaomi Considers First Laptop In 2016; Samsung a memory chip supplier http://t.co/tiO8MJ6tqa via @ddukshiali @tculpan @biancavtoness — Edwin Chan (@edwininla) September 2, 2015
Nothing is confirmed as of now with Xiaomi yet to make announcement on its new business venture but one thing is for sure – it's going to be a risky one as worldwide sales of PCs have dropped off late with smartphones and phablets making brisk business.
