===2006–present: Divestiture from NEC and acquisition by Acer Inc.===
[[File:Las Tics en educación.jpg|thumb|A Packard Bell laptop]]
In 2006, the chairman of the California-based Clifford Holdings, John Hui [[Lap Shun Hui]], acquired the rights to the Packard Bell name from NEC for an undisclosed sum, establishing PB Holdings Company in the process. Hui was in talks with [[Lenovo|Lenovo Group]] of China to sell the rights to the Packard Bell name to the latter in early 2007. However, [[Acer Inc.]] of Taiwan ultimately intervened, making a binding offer to acquire PB Holdings in October 2007. Acer's acquisition of Packard Bell occurred in the aftermath of their recent takeover of Gateway in August 2007 and was said to be a strategic deal to prevent Lenovo's expansion into Europe, where Acer had a strong presence.<ref>{{cite journal | last=Staff writer | date=October 10, 2007 | url=https://www.scmp.com/article/610918/acers-offer-parent-scuttles-lenovos-plan-buy-packard-bell | title=Acer's offer for parent scuttles Lenovo's plan to buy Packard Bell | journal=South China Morning Post | archiveurl=https://archive.today/20230314222030/https://www.scmp.com/article/610918/acers-offer-parent-scuttles-lenovos-plan-buy-packard-bell | archivedate=March 14, 2023}}</ref> The deal was finalized between January and February 2008, Hui receiving $48.5 million in cash.<ref>{{cite web | last=Ogg | first=Erica | date=January 31, 2008 | url=https://www.cnet.com/culture/acer-officially-lands-packard-bell/ | title=Acer officially lands Packard Bell | work=CNET | publisher=CBS Interactive | archiveurl=https://archive.today/20230314223604/https://www.cnet.com/culture/acer-officially-lands-packard-bell/ | archivedate=March 14, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Meller | first=Paul | date=February 27, 2008 | url=https://www.networkworld.com/article/2283853/european-commission-approves-acer-s-buying-packard-bell.html | title=European Commission approves Acer's buying Packard Bell | work=Network World | publisher=IDG Publications | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314223439/https://www.networkworld.com/article/2283853/european-commission-approves-acer-s-buying-packard-bell.html | archivedate=March 14, 2023}}</ref> Acer later arranged their marketing strategy so that Gateway products were sold in the Americas and Asia, while Packard Bell products were sold in Africa, Europe and the Middle East; Acer-branded products meanwhile were sold worldwide.<ref>{{cite web | last=Shah | first=Agam | date=January 24, 2013 | url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/456597/acer-sheds-emachines-turns-to-gateway-and-packard-bell-for-post-pc-era.html | title=Acer sheds eMachines, turns to Gateway and Packard Bell for post-PC era | work=PCWorld | publisher=IDG Publications | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20211113032951/https://www.pcworld.com/article/456597/acer-sheds-emachines-turns-to-gateway-and-packard-bell-for-post-pc-era.html | archivedate=November 13, 2021}}</ref>
