IBM Corp is believed to have had talks with Apple Computer Inc regarding an acquisition of Apple, but the talks fell apart recently, industry sources told Reuter: IBM wanted to get off their dependence on Microsoft, said one industry source, who requested anonymity – IBM was very serious, definitely – they were telling shareholders to be aware that they were making a strategic acquisition; IBM was considering offering $35 a share, sources said, but they believe that IBM has since decided the deal was too expensive with Apple’s current market value put at around $4,500m; some industry sources still believe Apple is an acquisition target and say they believe the company has hired an investment banker to explore the issue in the last month.
