As part of its transition to appoint a new CEO, Acer reportedly is also looking to integrate its R&D and PC sales units and place current CTO of the R&D center, Jackson Lin, in charge of the new merged unit, according to sources from the upstream supply chain, adding that plans will be confirmed prior to Acer's supply chain conference on January 21. Acer declined to comment, saying it has not heard of such an adjustment.

　　The sources believe that Acer is trying to show its determination over R&D and the actions should help the company attract R&D talent from outside.

　　In addition to the resignations of senior corporate vice president and president of EMEA operations Walter Deppeler and smartphone business chief in China Chen Guowei, Acer's CTO in America Arif Maskatia and server business chief Bruce Shaw have also recently left the company.