“Apple has reportedly moved to curb the production of new ‘ultrabook’ portable computers by Taiwanese technology giant ASUS, by forcing its manufacturing partner Pegatron to choose between production contracts for the two companies,” Matt Brian reports for TNW.
“Chinese publication Commerical Times reports that Apple pursued Pegatron after becoming frustrated by the similarities between its MacBook Air and ASUS’ Zenbook, which utilises Apple’s familiar aluminium unibody construction,” Brian reports. “It is believed that from the end of March, Pegatron will cease production of ASUS’ Zenbook, resulting in a move to rival manufacturers Compal or Wistron.”
Brian reports, “Given Apple’s buying power, a contract from the world’s biggest technology company is likely to be held in higher regard than one of its rivals… It’s an interesting move, some would say anti-competitive. The PC market is in decline yet Apple’s notebook sales continue to defy the trend — if the reports are true, Pegatron knows which horse is on to a winner.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: You know what’s really anticompetitive? Stealing Apple’s innovations in everything from OS to industrial design for the last 30 years, churning out knockoffs, and peddling it to the ignoranti.
Enough.
Apple has earned their power and, after years of being ripped off, more than earned the right to deploy it at will. Kudos to Apple for playing some hardball.
Hopefully, behind the scenes, they’re giving Samsung, Intel, etc. the same type of stark choices.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Readers “Dan K.” and “Ed” for the heads up.]
Related article:
Intel fakes ‘live’ Ultrabook demo, mulls massive advertising campaign to peddle ‘MacBook Air killers’ – January 10, 2012
