Acer founder publicly attacks Microsoft Surface as computer hardware vendor backlash continues

Acer founder Stan Shih has joined a growing chorus of computer hardware vendors criticising plans by Microsoft to enter the computer hardware market with the release of the Microsoft Surface tablet series.

According to Tom’s Hardware, Shih said: “I think Microsoft’s getting involved in the hardware business is designed to promote its Windows 8 [operating system].”

“But I sincerely recommend they withdraw from the hardware market when they get what they want.”

The news comes after HP shelved plans to develop its own consumer tablets based on Windows RT over fears about directly competing against the consumer version of the Microsoft Surface.