Sony is apparently looking to shed the dead weight that is its PC business. According to Reuters, relaying a report by Nikkei, Sony is in talks to sell its personal computer business to investment fund Japan Industrial Partners for up to 50 billion yen ($490 million).
A new company would be formed to sell the computers, with Sony retaining a small stake in venture, the report states.
Just last week, another report surfaced stating that Sony was talking to Lenovo over a joint venture. Sony flat-out denied this report. Still, when there’s smoke, there’s often fire. And Sony’s VAIO brand is burning a hole in Sony’s ledger.
This move shouldn’t come as a surprise. Sony’s PC division has long been a weak link in Sony’s chain. Besides, when Kazuo Hirai took over Sony in 2012, he didn’t list personal computers as one of Sony’s cornerstones. Instead, Kaz pointed to digital imaging, gaming, and mobile on which rebuild Sony, a strategy clearly present as of late.
Sony has released innovative and, frankly, killer products in the three aforementioned categories. Still, despite making amazing products, Sony is trailing others in those spaces. By ridding itself of a forgotten appendage, perhaps Sony can better compete with the likes of Samsung and Apple.