Xiaomi to launch laptops next year

Xiaomi Corp is considering the introduction of its first laptop early next year, sources with direct knowledge of the matter said, opening a new front in its battle against Apple Inc and Lenovo Group Ltd.

Xiaomi's notebook may go on sale in the first quarter to compete with such premium computers as Apple's MacBook Air and Lenovo's ThinkPad, the sources said, asking not to be identified. Xiaomi has held talks with Samsung Electronics Co to supply memory chips, and that initial agreement may extend to providing displays, they said.

Only five years after its founding, Xiaomi vaulted into the global smartphone industry's top ranks by providing stylish devices with premium components at mid-range prices. Xiaomi getting into the PC business risks bringing additional cost pressures against industry leaders Lenovo, Hewlett-Packard Co and Apple.