Lenovo Group, the world's third-largest maker of personal computers, said on Tuesday it is <A HREF="http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,2168028,00.asp?kc=EWRSS03119TX1K0000594">in talks to buy European personal computer maker Packard Bell BV</A> through an independent third party.

While no definitive deal has been reached, Lenovo said it is negotiating with the independent third party, which its does not name, as well as working with other parties or government bodies "in preparation for the entering into of definitive agreements for such proposed acquisition."