Gateway to Reenter Japanese PC Market

Dec. 2–TOKYO — Major U.S. personal computer maker Gateway Inc. said Thursday it will reenter the Japanese PC market by launching two laptop models and one desktop PC on Dec. 10.

Gateway withdrew from Japan and Singapore in 2001 to concentrate its business resources on its deteriorating U.S. operations.

It is expected to take advantage of low prices to get a slice of the Japanese PC market, where U.S. PC maker Dell Inc.’s growth against Japanese firms including NEC Corp. has intensified competition.

One of the two Gateway laptop PCs for sale in Japan will be the 3538JP priced at 129,800 yen. The desktop will sell for 119,800 yen.

Gateway said its PCs will be available at four electric appliance store chains including Ishimaru Denki Co. and Joshin Denki Co.

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