Vizio droolworthy PCs to shake up computer market

The new PCs announced Thursday will start at $898 for a 14-inch, thin-and-light laptop. That compares with $999 for the least-expensive, 11-inch Apple MacBook Air and the approximate $1,000 pricing for most new, thin-and-light notebooks, dubbed ultrabooks by chip company Intel Corp. (Vizio)

The Irvine, Calif., company, which ranks as one of the top sellers of televisions in the U.S., announced five different computers at a New York event. The products will be available this summer in time for the back-to-school selling season. (Vizio)

Vizio shook up the market with inexpensive high-definition televisions, and it is trying to do the same in the PC industry. (Vizio)

The closely held company, which also produces Blu-ray players and a tablet, worked on the computer designs for a couple years in an attempt to offer an aesthetic that competes with Apple's popular products but at a lower price. (Vizio)

A 27-inch, all-in-one desktop, Vizio's highest-end computer, starts at $1,098. (Vizio)

"People don't need another PC manufacturer giving them a bunch of junk at a low price," Vizio Chief Executive William Wang said. He stressed that Vizio used high-end components to help it target tech-savvy consumers who can't afford pricey notebooks.

Vizio isn't targeting the high end of the PC market, he said in an interview following the event. "Our target audience is people who can't afford a $2,000 notebook," Mr. Wang said.