Acer to release second-generation Chromebook in October

Aaron Lee, Taipei; Joseph Tsai, DIGITIMES [Monday 17 September 2012]

Acer is reportedly set to launch a second-generation Chromebook in mid-October and hopes the device will be able to replace its netbook product line which is expected to be phased out of the market soon, according to sources from the upstream supply chain.

Acer and Samsung Electronics, which recently-announced its second-generation Chromebook, are the two major brand players aggressively promoting Chromebook-related products.

The sources pointed out that Microsoft's Surface tablets are part of the reasoning that has prompted Acer to turn aggressive about pushing second-generation Chromebook products, despite the failure of its first-generation Chromebook.

Acer's 11.6-inch Chromebook has already entered mass production with monthly shipments expected to reach as high as 200,000 units.

Currently, all major PC brand vendors have stopped placing orders for 10.1-inch netbooks. Acer, Asustek Computer and Hewlett-Packard (HP) still have some 11.6-inch netbook orders in production, but volumes are also declining.

In addition to Samsung and Acer, Lenovo is also reportedly developing second-generation Chromebook products.

Samsung recently launched its second-generation Chromebook
Photo: Shihmin Fu, Digitimes file photo