Senior management at Acer have attacked Microsoft's decision to enter the hardware market with its Surface tablet.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Acer president of PC Global Operations for Acer suggested that the company could look at alternatives to Microsoft if the Surface goes ahead.

"If Microsoft ... is going to do hardware business, what should we do? Should we still rely on Microsoft, or should we find other alternatives?" Kan said.

The Windows 8-based tablet was announced in June, and is expected to launch in late October, but many analysts said that it was likely to be seen as competition by Microsoft's OEM hardware partners.

Acer chairman and CEO JT Wang said Microsoft should think twice before releasing Surface.

"We have said [to Microsoft] to think it over. Think twice. It will create a huge negative impact for the ecosystem and other brands may take a negative reaction. It's not something you are good at so think twice," Wang told the FT.