ASUS and MSI to focus on own-brand desktop PCs

DigiTimes heard that both Asustek and MSI are expanding their branded computer efforts. ASUS reportedly stepped up its efforts in the second half of 2013 to acquire orders from the enterprise market, while also entering the gaming desktop market. MSI is also starting to expand its own-brand traditional desktop lineup and recently revealed a line of gaming PCs that include anything from 16-liter mini barebones to 27" All-in-One gaming systems.

Last year ASUS shipped nearly two million desktops but the company hopes to significantly ramp up volume over the next couple of years in order to challenge Lenovo. DigiTimes writes ASUS hopes to ship 50 million desktops and laptops five years from now, up from a projected volume of 20 million in 2014.

In the past, motherboard players only invested limited resources in the branded desktop market, but are turning more aggressive recently as the PC DIY market no longer sees strong growth, while demand in the enterprise market and the gaming PC market is increasing. The branded desktop and the PC DIY segments split evenly the desktop market's sales.

Asustek turned aggressively about the branded desktop industry in the second half of 2013, looking to acquire some orders from the enterprise market, which is enjoying a strong replacement trend. The vendor also entered the gaming desktop market though the strategy may impact sales of its motherboard and graphics cards.