Acer Gets Notebooks Into Best Buy

Taiwanese computer maker Acer aims to expand its U.S. sales in a deal which puts its notebooks on the shelves of electronics retailer Best Buy.

Taiwanese computer maker Acer is looking to expand its sales in the U.S. market through a new partnership with leading electronics retailer Best Buy. The first fruits: a series of inexpensive notebook computers targeting the low-budget and entry level computer market.

Currently, Best Buy is offering five Acer notebook systems (one of which it claims is already sold out) ranging from $500 to $850; at the high end, the Acer Aspire AS5610-4537 offers an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 15.4-inch LCD display, 1 GB of RAM, dual layer DVD burner and WIndows Vista Home Premium.

Acer is the world’s fourth largest computer maker, but has never had tremendous retail presence in the United States or North American markets. The company is targeting North America and China as its primary opportunities for growth. The partnership is also of benefit to Best Buy, which is currently enjoying a leading position in the U.S. electronics marketplace; as competitors like Circuit City and CompUSA struggle, offering effective, inexpensive notebook computers is a good way to get first-time computer customers in the door; later, Best Buy can work on upselling them to a couple 60-inch LCD HD televisions.