The layoffs aim to cut costs and to meet "the market change and to face challenges ahead," Acer said in a statement on Wednesday. The write-off came following a discovery of abnormalities in the company's distribution channel in Europe, Middle East and Africa, that was revealed through an investigation conducted after Lanci's departure, it added.

Acer has been hurt by the slower-than-expected growth in the PC market globally. Lanci's resignation came just under a week after Acer said revenue from PCs in the first quarter of fiscal 2011 would fall short of expectations due to weak demand in Western Europe and the U.S.

Acer's PC shipments , and Acer founder Stan Shih has .

The one-time charge comes after audits of the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) channel revealed high inventory levels and disputed accounts receivable, including abnormalities in "the accounts receivable from channels in Spain," Acer said.

The audit also showed improvements that could be made in the channel. The company will propose action and take steps to improve operations, Acer said.