Apple Reportedly Pressures Pegatron into Ceasing ASUS Zenbook Production

asus zenbook 1
Digitimes reports on an article from Taiwanese newspaper Commerical Times claiming that Apple manufacturing partner Pegatron has ended its relationship with ASUS for production of the Zenbook under pressure from Apple. According to the report, Apple is displeased with the similarity in appearance between ASUS's Zenbook and the MacBook Air and forced Pegatron's hand with an ultimatum stating that Pegatron needed to choose one company or the other.

Apple reportedly was unhappy about Pegatron's production of Asustek's Zenbook models, which are similar to its MacBook Air, especially in its outer design, and therefore, demand Pegatron make a choice, claimed the paper, which added that Pegatron began to assemble iPhones for Apple in 2011 and is eager to solicit orders for next-generation iPads from the vendor.

Pegatron will reportedly wind down production of the Zenbook by next month as ASUS is forced to switch over to Compal or Wistron for manufacturing.

asus zenbook 2

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Top Rated Comments

ryanmcv Avatar
172 months ago
Apparently Apple forgot about the HP Envy:



http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/28/hp-envy-15-review-early-2012/
Score: 41 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Peace Avatar
172 months ago
At first I said Huh ? Then I went and looked at the Zenbook. It looks almost exactly like a Macbook Air.

Good for Apple.

Why can't these companies design their own laptops and tablets.

Lazy people. Just do what Apple does. That's the new PC mantra.
Score: 36 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tigres Avatar
172 months ago
For Real?
ballsy...

:apple: please don't start the Wal-Mart philosophy of threatening your vendors.
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
FrizzleFryBen Avatar
172 months ago
Totally makes sense. I'm in marketing and we'd be dropped in a second if we worked with competing brands.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
KPOM Avatar
172 months ago
But it is not a mba

This is bullying by Apple. Pure and simple

How is it bullying? It isn't as if Pegatron has a right to make products for Apple, or even that Apple is suing ASUS on a questionable design patent. Pepsi might voice displeasure if a significant supplier signed a big deal with Coke, or vice versa.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jace88 Avatar
172 months ago
For a good laugh, check out the design story behind the Zenbook: http://zenbook.asus.com/design/
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)