Yesterday there was news floating around the Internet that Steve Jobs wanted Sony VAIO laptops to run Mac OS X back in the 2000s and also there were rumors that Sony is looking to sell of their VAIO PC division. Today, Sony has officially confirmed that they are selling off their VAIO division. Back in April 2012, Sony had announced that they will be reforming their strategy and as a part of the process, they have identified three core areas – imaging, game and mobile business.
In a meeting held today, Sony and Japan Industrial Partners Inc. (“JIP”) arrived at a memorandum of understanding confirming the parties’ intent for Sony to sell to JIP Sony’s PC business currently operated under the VAIO brand. The drastic change in the PC industry and the rise of mobile devices seems to have triggered the choice.
According to an official statement Sony’s overall business portfolio and strategy, the need for continued support of Sony’s valued VAIO customers, and future employment opportunities for personnel involved in the VAIO business, the Company has determined that concentrating its mobile product lineup on smartphones and tablets and transferring its PC business to a new company established by JIP is the optimal solution.
Sony and JIP are expected to complete the terms and conditions of the deal by March 2014. The new company, JIP, is expected to take care of PC business in its homeland and then expand geographically.