WRAL Tech Wire

 Slowing sales hit No. 4 PC maker Acer; profits plunge

Acer's shipment decline for the quarter was wider than the overall market as the company's sales of Ultrabooks, light notebooks that mimic Apple's MacBook Air, failed to meet expectations. The release of Windows 8 this month may not be enough to spur sales growth in the coming quarter.

 Taiwan rivals could create world's No. 1 PC manufacturer

A potential buyout of Acer by Asustek would create the world's No. 1 PC seller ahead of current leader HP and No. 2 Lenovo.

 Research firm slahes PC sales forecast through 2016

Global computer shipments will climb less than previously forecast this year amid a weak economy and as buyers await new models, research firms IDC and iSupply say.

PC sales projections

 Apple expands dominance in tablet market

Apple's market share climbed to 69.6 percent in the quarter from 58.1 percent in the previous three-month period, according to a report Tuesday from IHS iSuppli

Apple's iPad

 Lenovo keeps charging as it narrows gap on No. 1 HP

The "preliminary numbers demonstrate that more and more customers recognize the value of Lenovo products and trust the Lenovo brand," a spokesperson says. "While challenges remain in the PC market, Lenovo has continued to achieve balanced results worldwide, and believes that there is room for profitable growth in this industry. "

Lenovo's growing product lineup

 Lenovo nearly catches HP as No. 1 PC company

Lenovo is just .2 of a percentage point behind HP in global PC market share after a 15 percent surge in growth in the second quarter, a research firm says. Another company also shows Lenovo less than a percentage point behind.

 Tablet challenge: In PC world counting 'pads,' Lenovo trails HP, Apple

Lenovo is not the world's No. 2 PC maker when "pads" or tablets such as the iPad are counted, says research firm Canalys. HP is No. 1 overall with Apple second, but Lenovo's sales continue to surge.

Lenovo's Yoga after flip to tablet

 HP shows signs of recovery from PC flip-flop fallout

HP is in the midst of a turnaround effort under a new chief, former eBay Inc. CEO Meg Whitman. Her predecessor, Leo Apotheker, wanted to sell or spin off the PC business, a plan that contributed to his ouster in September after 11 months on the job. Whitman decided a month later to keep the unit, despite the growing competitive challenge the PC industry faces from smartphones and tablet computers.

 Global PC shipments top expectations; Lenovo surges

Lenovo's shipments climb 28 percent and 44 percent over last year, based on statistics from two research firms. HP remains the leader in market share over Lenovo.

Lenovo's growing product lineup

 PC sales will be 'weak' in 2012, research firm says

Gartner forecasts a 4.4 percent growth in PC sales this year with competition from tablets and smartphones increasing.

Lenovo's U300 Ultrabook

 NetApp makes a buy; EMC share target price $42; EC praises IBM data centers; Linux to 'eat' up Oracle?; most IT execs mull network vendor switch

 Acer, Samsung to offer Google 'Chromebooks'

New laptop models will run on Google-designed software, run its Chrome browser. Acer is world's No. 3 PC maker, just ahead of Lenovo.

Introducing Google OS laptops

 Acer cuts PC forecast - Will Lenovo rise to No. 3 globally?

Taiwan-based Acer has sliced its computer shipment forecast again, and Lenovo will pass its rival if its sales remain flat, The Financial Times reports.

 Lenovo 'significantly outperformed' rivals in Q1

Reports from research firms IDC and Gartner show that the world's No. 4 PC maker increased shipments sharply while the top three firms decreased. As Lenovo embraces tablets, smart phones and a new marketing plan, are better days ahead?

 Tablets' popularity hurting PC sales - not Lenovo

Global personal computer sales delince in first quarter, two research firms report.

The iPad 2

 2010 in PC industry: 'Tale of the Tablet' - and Lenovo

Sales of iPads are affecting global PC sales, but Lenovo still grows 37.3 percent for the year and strengthens its hold on the No. 4 position in global sales behind HP, Acer and Dell.

One of Lenovo's newest laptops

 Acer takes aim at Lenovo in battle for China market share

The world’s No. 2 PC maker has failed twice to make inroads in a market dominated by Lenovo. Will this attempt be different?

 Lenovo to build $100M plant in western China

The world's No. 4 PC maker faces increasing competition on its home turf and is stepping up its own sales efforts in China's rural areas.

 Strong quarter boosts Lenovo’s global market share

Analysis firms IDC, Gartner both report that the world’s No. 4 PC maker is growing fast with shipments up more than 30 percent from a year ago.

 Apple rivals take a market hit from its new iPad

Global PC sales don’t meet analysts’ expectations due in part to iPad as well as overall drag of dreary economy.