EMachines Plans a Hybrid Device

Bargain computer maker EMachines Inc. announced a series of moves Thursday designed to broaden the struggling Irvine company’s appeal to young consumers and small businesses.

In next year’s second quarter, the company will introduce a hybrid device that features functions of PCs, televisions and digital music players. A growing group of manufacturers is introducing similar products, which aim to bridge the traditional divide between computers and consumer electronics.

The EMachines version, called the E3 PC, will look like a laptop and sell for $1,000 to $1,400. The company also said it will enhance its desktop units and introduce notebook computers designed to meet the needs of business users.

EMachines endured a miserable summer as computer sales slumped, led by the low-end sector over which it presides. Its shares have lost 93% of their value since the company went public in March. The stock closed unchanged at 66 cents a share Thursday in Nasdaq trading.