Xiaomi is planning to release its first laptop early next year to compete with other brands in the PC business. (Photo : www.gadgetsprice.co.in)
Xiaomi Corp. is thinking of introducing its first laptop early next year to challenge the premium computers made by Apple Inc. and Lenovo Group Ltd. in the market, the Bloomberg News reported.
Citing anonymous sources, the report said that Xiaomi's notebook may go on sale in the first quarter to compete with Apple's MacBook Air and Lenovo's ThinkPad.
Xiaomi has reportedly talked to Samsung Electronics Co. to become its memory chip supplier. According to the sources, the two firms have agreed to provide initial displays.
Five years after its establishment, Xiaomi rose to the top ranks of the global smartphone industry by introducing stylish devices with high-quality components at mid-range prices.
According to the report, Xiaomi's entry into the PC business would bring pressure and additional costs to industry leaders such as Lenovo, Hewlett-Packard Co. and Apple.
The report added that Samsung's business will be enhanced by supplying Xiaomi, the fourth-largest smartphone vendor, with needed components as Samsung tries to reduce reliance for support on its own Galaxy devices.
Samsung and Xiaomi refused to comment in separate emails, the report added.
Lenovo's value dropped 2.5 percent to HK$6.13, a three-year low in Hong Kong trading, while Samsung rose 0.5 percent to 1,090,000 won in Seoul.
On the other hand, Xiaomi is trying to keep its space a rapidly shrinking market. An IDC forecast in August showed an 8.7 percent slide in PC shipments this year as growth forecast is expected to come by 2017 .
The report said that Xiaomi has now confined itself to selling appliances and accessories, such as earphones and TVs, due to the stiff smartphone market competition, while Samsung is also grappling with the slowing sales of its Galaxy, posting a fifth straight decline in quarterly profit.
