Lee: We look at the issue from a different angle. BenQ is in a separate segment, where consumers, rather than corporations, are our main target. We are seeing more opportunities to expand our market.
I believe Gartner's thesis was built on the fact that computers are increasingly becoming more like consumer electronics, such as mobile phones. In other words, purchasing power is switching to average consumers rather than corporations. As a result, personal computers with multi-functions, including entertainment features, will be more appealing to computer users.
BenQ jumped on the new computer bandwagon as the company was positioned a consumer electronics brand when it began three years ago. We concentrate on making trendy electronic devices with more functions in order to cater to the needs of individuals.
Global computer makers, on the other hand, which rely mostly on corporate spending on computers for growth, are losing their edge. Some have considered backing out of the market as they do not want to waste resources maintaining a money-losing PC operation.
International Business Machine Corp set a good example [selling its PC operations to China's Lenovo Group (
TT: I have a question about AU Optronics Corp (
Lee: We now have a module plant there [as the government only allows local TFT-LCD panel makers to assemble panels in China] We hope the government will relax its controls over labor-intensive sectors since part of the manufacturing industry in Taiwan needs workers.
We hope the government will impose as few restrictions as they can. Leave the decisions to corporate executives.
I believe most companies are pursuing the maximum interests of their firms and the nation, when they consider such investment. No single company means to prompt the worry about exporting core technologies overseas.
TT: As BenQ is now making second-generation (2G) mobile phones for certain European telecom operators, is there the possibility that your company will extend the partnership into advanced third-generation (3G) models?
Lee: Yes. We'll unveil our first 3G cellphone in Europe next year. But, we can't be sure about the timetable for the launch yet. The handsets are currently under a series of tests now. As this is our very first batch of 3G models, the test will take longer than usual.
The schedule will also depend on how fast consumers will switch to 3G mobile services. In the past year, the adoption of such speedy mobile technologies has been slower than expected, largely due to lack of killer applications.
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