IBM in Talks to Sell Part of Its Server Unit to Lenovo - WSJ.com

tbd if all non-monopoly IBM hardware business lines will be unloaded

"IBM has a history of aggressively shifting its business mix to areas with better growth and higher profit margins. The company shocked the technology industry when it agreed to sell off its PC business to Lenovo before personal computers had been largely commoditized. IBM then beefed up its operations in higher margin software and consulting businesses.
A sale of the low-end part of the server business would fit this pattern, as new Chief Executive Virginia "Ginni" Rometty looks for ways to expand the company's revenue and earnings. A divestiture of the x86 business would mark Ms. Rometty's first major asset sale since taking over the top job a year ago."

IBM in Talks to Sell Part of Its Server Unit to Lenovo - WSJ.com