IBM's outsourcing of ThinkPads to Acer could hang on Siemens deal

IBM is to manufacture a range of PCs aimed at the retail market through an agreement it has with Acer. Sam Dusi, segment product manager of the IBM ThinkPad range, said the units will be produced by Acer in Germany. But that begs the question as to whether the ThinkPad I's, which will cost around $1,599, depend on Siemens and Acer sorting out their difficulties. Earlier this month, talks between Acer and Siemens fell through over the Taiwanese company's acquisition of its German manufacturing unit. IBM could not be contacted at press time as to whether or not the introduction of its ThinkPad I's hung on a Siemens-Acer deal in Germany, or not. ® Click here for more stories