Samsung ending PC, Chromebook sales in parts of Europe

Samsung is toning down their efforts in Europe, and will completely exit the Notebook PC market in Germany. The company is also vowing to halt all Chromebook sales in Germany, and possibly beyond. It's a departure from Samsung's rapid expansion over the past few years.

Though Samsung wasn't clear on just where or when the Chromebook pull-out may take effect, they are clearly responding to their earning slump in recent months. Speaking to German site WP Area (a Windows Phone blog), a Samsung spokesperson had the following to say:

Samsung quickly adapts to current market needs and requirements. In Germany we are no notebooks, these include the Chromebooks, sell more. This decision is based on the German market and is not necessarily representative of the conditions in other markets.

We put the focus on the potential offered by the convergence of our mobile devices and mobile solutions. For this, we create targeted synergies to develop new product categories, use our market opportunities effectively and so also can strengthen our competitive position. The top priority here has the unique experience that we want to provide our customers with our products and mobile solutions.

Chromebook sales in the US are strong, but that' success may be indicative elsewhere. Chromebook partners may also be undercutting Samsung in a competitive space, forcing them to re-think their strategy in Europe.

Samsung has recently focussed their efforts on top-end PCs rather than lower end products in that retail space, while complimenting that with the decidedly lower-specced Chromebook. Rather than explore making that work, Samsung is going all-in with mobile, at least in Europe.

Source: WP Area