DIGITAL CALLS IT QUITS IN THE HOME COMPUTER MARKET
By Adnews Staff
The company that can't decide in its TV spot what the future of commercial computing will be is making a sure prediction of its future in home computing: none. U.S.-based Digital Equipment Corp. is dropping its home computer business because it just can't get it off the ground. Home computers account for less than 10% of total U.S. sales for Digital's PC unit. Digital doesn't sell home computers in Canada, although it was working on a Canadian retail marketing plan for the machines. The end of the home PC business means Digital will discontinue its Starion line, which it launched in November, 1994. On the other hand, the computer maker is expanding its Hi-Note and Ultra Hi-Note laptops, as well as its Venturis line of commercial PCs. Revenue in Digital's PC unit grew 40% in the last quarter, breaking even for the first time. The unit's performance improved under the direction of Bruce Claflin, who took over as general manager of the PC division last October. Before coming to digital he was general manager of IBM's PC division.