GEC drops MSX plans

THE future of GEC’s involvement in the home computer market now looks in doubt.

The company has shelved plans to launch an MSX computer in Britain indefinitely, and is uncertain as to whether it will continue marketing the Dragon 32 and 64 machines.

“Originally we planned to bring out the MSX computer this autumn,” said Dennis Judd, marketing manager of GEC Radio and Television. “However, we were unable to obtain sufficient supplies, and as a result have shelved the whole project, and there is no guarantee we will pick it up again.
“We are Currently taking a long hard look at home computers. While we are still selling what stocks we have of the Dragon machines, it is possible we may not continue marketing the Dragon when stocks have run out.”

GEC funded Dragon Data to a large extent during its lifetime, and took over the marketing for the machines after Dragon Data went into liquidation. Dennis Judd affirmed that Dragon’s demise had coloured the company’s current attitude to the home computer market.