Lenovo has moved to clarify its position regarding sales of small-screen Windows tablets in the US after reports last week suggested it was abandoning the market due to a lack of demand.
Company spokesperson Raymond Gorman had told PCWorld that Lenovo’s Windows tablets with displays of less than 10 inches – in other words, the ThinkPad 8 and Miix 2 – would be diverted to markets outside the US because of waning interest among consumers.
He explained that US consumers were choosing its larger Windows tablets over its smaller ones, whereas in other markets, notably Brazil, China, and Japan, “the demand for ThinkPad 8 has been much stronger, so we are adjusting our ThinkPad 8 inventories to meet increasing demand in those markets.” PCWorld’s article noted that Lenovo has already stopped selling the ThinkPad 8 and Miix 2.
Clarification
Over the weekend, however, the Chinese tech firm sought to clarify its position, insisting in a statement that it will continue offering both 10- and 8-inch Windows tablets to consumers in the US.
Lenovo said an all-new 8-inch Windows tablet is being prepped for launch “this holiday”, though declined to offer any further details.
“Our model mix changes as per customer demand, and although we are no longer selling ThinkPad 8 in the US, and we have sold out of Miix 8-inch, we are not getting out of the small-screen Windows tablet business as was reported by the media,” the Beijing-based company said in its latest statement, adding, “In short, we will continue to sell both 8- and 10-inch Windows tablets in both the US and non-US markets.”
Lenovo clearly wants to see how the market for small Windows tablets develops, though for the time being it seems focused on pushing large-display Windows tablets to its US-based consumers.
The ThinkPad 8 and Miix 2 slates, priced at $400 and $300 respectively, were always a tough sell for Lenovo, especially as they were up against a bunch of powerful and lower-priced Android tablets.
So let’s see if its upcoming 8-inch Windows device manages to bring something new to the table and helps Lenovo stir some interest among American consumers on the hunt for a smaller slate.
[via PCWorld]
