Sony has decided to give up on its Vaio PC business and has announced that it is selling the entire division to Japan Industrial Partners.
During the announcement of its financial results, Sony explained that a drop in demand — as well as a galvanised belief in its TV division — motivated the sale, which should be signed and sealed by March 2014. Sony is no longer designing or developing PC products, and manufacturing will cease when its final Vaio range goes on sale globally.
Instead, Sony will focus on mobile — smartphones and tablets — as well as strengthening its TV and PlayStation offerings. Still, losing an entire PC business will see it cut 5000 jobs — 1500 of those in Japan — while Japan Industrial Partners will take on just 300 staff.
If you’re the proud owner of a Vaio, there is some good news: Between them, the two companies are promising to fulfil aftercare warranties. That’s some small relief. [Sony]