This article is more than 1 year old

Dinosaur dealers face extinction

Free PC spells disaster for resellers according to networks distie

Networking distributor ATL Networks has taken the extraordinary step of issuing a statement in which it predicts the end of the line for PC resellers. The end is well and truly nigh and it's all down to the advent of the free PC, the statement said. ATL managing director, Mark Randall, said: "With the announcement that Tiny Computers is going to be giving away free PCs with Internet accounts, the days of making money from straight product sales are well and truly over. Resellers must turn to services and they must make the change now." In the press statement, Randall goes on to say that the PC is no longer a viable product in the sales channel and its only purpose now is as a way of linking in consumers to a range of online services. Opinion on the likely success of free PC schemes has so far divided many in the system builder community with some rushing out such deals and others remaining bitterly opposed to them. The Register would like to hear the opinions of the UK channel on this issue. What do you think about the free PC -- will it be a flash in the pan or does it sound the death knell for the PC reseller? Email your comments to news editor Sean Fleming and channels reporter Linda Harrison. ®

More about

TIP US OFF

Send us news


Other stories you might like