JT Wang, chairman and CEO of Acer, said Microsoft's decision to move into the PC hardware business with the launch of its Surface tablets in October will be negative for the industry. "We have said [to Microsoft] think it over," he told the Financial Times. "Think twice. It will create a huge negative impact for the ecosystem and other brands may take a negative reaction. It is not something you are good at so please think twice." Campbell Kan, Acer's president for personal computer global operations, said the Taiwanese company was debating internally how to respond to the Surface and any further challenges that could arise if Microsoft expands further into hardware. "If Microsoft … is going to do hardware business, what should we do? Should we still rely on Microsoft, or should we find other alternatives?," Kan said. Microsoft itself acknowledged in an earlier regulatory filing that its move into competing hardware could lead OEMs to question their commitment to Microsoft software. Acer meanwhile said its positive on the upcoming launch of Windows 8, which, along with a drop in prices, should help stimulate ultrabook sales.
