Taiwan's Acer returns to Korea with new laptop, apology

Models promote Acer's new Swift Go 16 laptop during a press conference at the Ambassador Seoul - A Pullman Hotel, Wednesday. Yonhap

By Park Jae-hyuk

Acer unveiled its new Swift Go 16 laptop during a press conference held in Seoul, Wednesday, to celebrate the recent re-establishment of the Taiwanese personal computer manufacturer's Korean subsidiary.

With the 1.6-kilogram laptop equipped with a 16-inch OLED and upgraded dual cooling fans, the company is trying to win the hearts of Korean consumers. It also decided to offer Korean consumers a 25 percent discount for the new product.

“Based on close cooperation with our Korean partner and our headquarters' experience, investments and resources as one of the world's top five PC brands, we will become one of the top three foreign PC brands in Korea within the next three years,” Wayne Nien, head of Acer's Korean subsidiary, said in Korean.

In 2001, Acer sparked controversy for exiting the Korean market abruptly, five years after establishing its local subsidiary. Although it resumed sales of its products in 2009, its market share has remained small.

“Poor services led Acer to lose the trust of Korean consumers,” Nien said. “We will improve our services through 10 stores managed directly by our Korean partner, Hansung.”

Wayne Nien, head of Acer's Korean subsidiary, speaks during a press conference at the Ambassador Seoul - A Pullman Hotel, Wednesday. Courtesy of Acer

He also did not hesitate to apologize to Korean consumers who suffered inconveniences due to Acer's abrupt withdrawal.

“Although there are many problems to solve, we should deliver a message to apologize to Korean consumers,” he said. “We should provide them with better products, services and brand images.”

In response to a question about Acer's competition with Samsung and LG in the domestic market, he expressed confidence in his company's competitiveness in PC and devices for gaming.

“Korea was the only country to make an investment for our next leap forward,” he said.