Sony planning to unload its PC business

Electronics giant Sony is planning to sell its personal computer business, Japanese media reported on Wednesday.

Sony is in talks to sell the PC division to investment firm Japan Industrial Partners, as part of restructuring efforts to move the company’s focus towards the smartphone market, Nikkei Asia Review business journal reported.

Under the deal — said to be worth up to 50 billion yen ($ 493 million) — the new company would continue to use the Vaio brand for its PCs, Jiji Press news agency reported, quoting “informed sources”. Sony launched the Vaio brand in 1996. At their peak, PC shipments hit 8.7 million units, Nikkei said, but are forecast to decline to less than 6 million units this fiscal year.