Sony Plans on Selling Its PC Business to Focus on Smartphones

Sony’s PC unit has never been a huge performer, and today news is erupting from reliable Asian business publication Nikkei that the Japanese giant is planning on selling off its PC business. According to today’s report, Sony has been in talks with investment fund Japan Industrial Partners and hopes to sell the floundering unit for 40 billion yen to 50 billion, or $391 million to $489 million.

The deal, which has yet to be finalized, would see JIP continue to sell Sony’s lineup under their existing VAIO branding as always. Sony would maintain a minor stake in the company during the time of transition. However one thing that remains unclear is JIP’s international business strategy; while the story claims that the Vaio lineup will continue to be sold overseas “where the Vaio brand is well-known”, the deal would likely see the lineup exit numerous markets around the world in a strategy that would downsize the scope of the operation.

Sony is said to be considering the deal as they plan on shifting its focus to smartphones, which the company has seen significant success with in recent times. The company’s current flagship smartphone, the Sony Xperia Z1, has been met with stellar reviews and reception good enough to warrant a follow up merely several months after launch in the form of the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact, a version of the smartphone that retains the flagship’s specifications cramped inside a smaller body with a 4.3 inch screen compared to the original’s 5.0 inch screen.