Acer Founder: Apple is a ‘Mutant Virus’

Stan Shih sure knows how to get a party started. In an interview with Digitimes yesterday, the Acer founder went on record to say that Apple’s products are a ‘mutant virus’ for which PC makers will eventually find a ‘cure’ in the long term. Ouch. That isn’t as bad as it sounds, I swear. Shih actually applauded Apple for its innovation and creativity, citing the company’s strategy as one PC makers could take a page from. He even went so far as to predict US PC vendors’ withdrawal from the PC game as profits decline. However, Shih believes that Big Steve’s quest for ‘revolution’, while due respect, will always and ultimately give way to a market that ‘evolves naturally’ – that being the PC market, of course. Honestly, that’s kind of a good point, and Shih’s not wrong – historically, slow and steady tends to win the race. Even now, look at Windows’ market share. So perhaps there’s wisdom in Shih’s words, as unnaturally bold as they may be.