Acer: we'll overtake Dell as world's number two PC maker... soon

Acer's President Gianfranco Lanci is talking some big talk these days, but not completely without reason. The Taiwan-based computer manufacturer says it does not expect to see a decline in revenue this year over last, meaning that it should clear somewhere in the realm of $17 billion -- its 2008 revenue figure. Much of the good news (and sales) hails from Asia, where retail markets have not been as hard hit by the economic insanity of the last year. Moreover, Lanci also said that with these figures, Acer "can finally pass Dell" sometime between this quarter and the next. He also added that the company expects to "breach the gap with HP" when it comes to notebooks, netbooks, and smartphones. So... that means we can expect a ton of Acers this year, right? Right.

Update: Well, that was fast.

[eruh Posted Oct 14th 2009 12:35PM]

My sisters Aspire One processor was fried a while ago. Nuff said.

so im rooting for Asus.

go Asus!

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 14th 2009 1:09PM]

I agree. I have an Asus Eeepc 900HA and an Asus G50V and I love them both.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 14th 2009 12:47PM]

My Acer 9420 laptop has been going strong for 3 years now with no problems. The only quirk is that the dvd slim drive front cover seems to pop off quite easily.

However, I have noticed that the Acer north america website is horribly slow, so I go to the Europe website to download the drivers and stuff.

[Teerim Posted Oct 14th 2009 12:50PM]

My father bought an Acer at a very cheap price compared to other brands with similar specs. It's webcam wouldn't work. Spent a day with it and found some drivers for a different webcam/notebook combo that worked on the Acer. It was good...for six months. After the six month period, the notebook would randomly freeze and require a restart. My father dealt with it for a few weeks, and he noticed that whenever he would move the laptop, it would freeze. Reinstalled Vista three times and the problem persisted... It was definitely a hardware issue.

We decided to use the warranty to get it repaired. Waited on the phone for a REALLY long time to get a representative. The conversation with the representative was quick. He gave me the Repair number and address. Had to pay for shipping myself (not that big a deal). Sent it out and two weeks later it came back. It was the same laptop, but it had changed inside. The thing was snappier, ran cooler, ran quieter and was all around better. They doubled the size of one of the two hard drives as well. Had to do the webcam fix again. The repair list included motherboard, cpu etc. Since then, the laptop has been running strong and gone through much abuse. After the fix, my father was happier than ever with the Acer and he will be going for another one when this one gets too old.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 14th 2009 4:36PM]

A balanced and intelligent post about Acer customer service...on Engadget? Wow!

[cphu Posted Oct 14th 2009 12:56PM]

All these Acer bashing won't make Dell any better. I heard alot of
craps from Dell as well as HP. Computers are just computers.

Does it has something to do with our typical american bubblehead
arrogance?

[Michael Pollard Posted Oct 14th 2009 1:19PM]

Smartphones? So we're going to see Acer-branded smartphones on all the major carriers within the next year, and maybe within the next quarter or two?

[TheConfuzed1 Posted Oct 14th 2009 1:49PM]

To those of you who wonder how Apple can even come up in this discussion with less than 10% marketshare, you're confusing OS marketshare with devices sold.

In terms of annual sales, Apple, I believe is currently in fifth place for US marketshare, after recently dropping down from fourth.

They are slightly lower in worldwide sales.

No good statistical statement is valid though, without something to back it up:

http://www.electronista.com/articles/09/07/15/idc.prelim.q2.

[jol Posted Oct 14th 2009 1:49PM]

Maybe Gianfranco Lanci will... make them an offer they cant refuse...

[Dalhectar Posted Oct 14th 2009 2:35PM]

The only Acer laptop I've dealt with is the Acer Aspire 1410T; and I'd pick it over any netbook while gladly paying the premium over your typical 11"-12" netbook.

Getting a CULV under $500 in a machine that's pretty thin and sexy is tough to beat.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 14th 2009 2:44PM]

Take any Acer, wipe the drive and put Ubuntu on it. You'll never be happier(unless your really into gaming; Your stuck with Windows then. Sorry.)

[kibbledbits Posted Oct 14th 2009 3:03PM]

Doesn't matter because both Dell and Acer make crappy products - (typed on my work's Dell Latitude)

[Xoy Posted Oct 14th 2009 3:38PM]

The oldest computer in my house is an Acer 3000 series from 05 and it works better than a HP that is 1 year old & a 2 year old Dell.

Maybe I got one of the models that work; who knows but mines has been fine.

[Venom Posted Oct 14th 2009 3:41PM]

Acer Aspire 8920g with Blu Ray > Dell or Hp

[Nicnac Posted Oct 14th 2009 3:45PM]

I thought cheap price over quality build was the American way ever since Wal-Mart became the 'company that best represents America'.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 14th 2009 5:28PM]

I purchased a acer 15 yrs ago and It never worked for the three months I owned it. Finally had enough and returned it to the retailer who told me every one they had sold had been returned.
What can one say make sure you have a good warrenty with whoever you get! glenn

[FlasH Posted Oct 14th 2009 8:29PM]

Kudos to Acer for working hard in the competitive PC world. Best of luck to the Taiwanese competitors. May you improve you quality and design standards thought out the end of the decade while keeping prices in check.

On a side note I think Samsung will work hard to grab market share. I mean they basically own the Ram industry as well they have great ability to create great displays. Samsung is also a leader in battery technology. If Samsung can start integrating these advantages into PCs,, look out industry.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 15th 2009 12:43PM]

Sad.... Is this all they can do? Announcing all the time that they will beat the competitors?
They just keep copy and copy and copy. Heart less and soul less companies: Acer, Gateway, Packardbell and emachine brothers and sisters...

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 15th 2009 12:49PM]

Sad, soul less and arrogant..