Fujitsu Blames Sagging PC Sales on "Weak" Demand for Windows 8

If Microsoft was hoping for a ringing endorsement for Windows 8, it won't find one from Fujitsu, Japan's largest provider of computer services. On the contrary, Fujitsu pointed the finger directly at the touch-friendly operating system, blaming Windows 8 as part of the reason why the PC maker will miss its annual shipment target for computers.

While speaking with reporters in Tokyo, Fujitsu President Masami Yamamoto cited "weak" demand for Windows 8 as one of the reasons why PCs aren't selling the way they should be, Businessweek reports. He also brought up the sovereign-debt crisis in Europe as a contributing factor.


Fujitsu expects to ship around 6 million computers for the year ending March 31, down from the 7 million units the company estimated back in October.

"PC makers' bet on Windows 8 has failed, as cheaper tablet computers are taking away customers," Yoshihisa Toyosaki, an analyst at Architect Grand Design, told Businessweek.

Despite the slumping sales, Fujitsu isn't planning to "join its competitors" in lowering PC prices. Instead, Fujitsu will focus on strengthening its information technology services in overseas markets to weather the storm.