Toshiba has recently announced a significant shift in its business strategy, marking the end of its laptop manufacturing era. This decision comes after years of financial struggles, culminating in the transfer of its remaining stake in the PC business to Sharp. In a bid to streamline operations and focus on more profitable ventures, Toshiba has sold its 19.9% share in the Dynabook brand, effectively making it wholly owned by Sharp.
In 2018, Sharp had acquired 80% of Toshiba's shares for £27 million, setting the stage for this complete transition. Toshiba's legacy in the technology sector is noteworthy, having pioneered the first personal computer—the T1100—in 1985. This groundbreaking device featured rechargeable batteries and a floppy disk drive, showcasing Toshiba's innovative spirit.
Despite the company's historic contributions to computing, Toshiba has faced a sharp decline in PC sales and a series of financial crises. The once-thriving giant sold 17.7 million PCs at its peak in 2013, but this number plummeted to just 1.4 million units last year. As the market evolved and competition intensified, Toshiba struggled to keep pace, leading to this pivotal decision to exit the laptop market.
