Question: Approximately two hundred brands of personal computers are being manufactured, but we currently limit our inventory to only the eight most popular brands. We plan to increase greatly the number of computers we sell by expanding our inventory to include the ten best-selling brands.
Which of the following, if true, points out a major weakness of the plan above?

(A) The capabilities of three most popular personal computers add to be approximately equivalent, with no brand having consistent superiority in all respects.
(B) The seven most popular brands of personal computers account for almost all computers sold.
(C) As the users of personal computers become more sophisticated, they are more willing to buy less well-known brands of computers.
(D) Less popular brands of computers often provide less profit to the retailer because prices must be discounted to attract customers.
(E) The leading brand of personal computer has been losing sales to less popular brands that offer similar capabilities for less money.

Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The argument of the passage claims that personal computers of nearly two hundred brands are being manufactured. However, the inventory is now limited to just the eight most famous brands. The plan is to enhance the sales of computers by developing the inventory to fit the ten topmost-selling brands. To solve this question, it is required to find something that weakens the argument of the passage. The answer choice B states that seven of the top brands of personal computers are the best-selling brands. The entire sales are accounted for selling these seven topmost selling brands. Hence the inclusion of two more brands of computers in the inventory will not impact the sale greatly. Therefore, this answer choice is the one that deliberately weakens the argument of the passage. Hence, option B is the correct answer. Let’s examine the other options.

Option A

The argument of the passage states that the personal computers of nearly two hundred brands are being manufactured. However, the inventory is now limited to just the eight most famous brands. Their plan is to increase the sales of computers by developing the inventory to fit the ten topmost-selling brands. The answer choice A only considers the abilities of the three topmost famous personal computers. It suggests that they are nearly equivalent in their capabilities. The answer choice mainly depicts the facts to compare the capabilities of the three topmost famous computers. However, this statement does not have any impact on the idea of the passage. It does not say anything about whether the sale will decrease or increase. Hence, option A is the incorrect answer since it does not satisfy the argument of the passage. Thus option A gets eliminated.

Option C

The argument of the passage states the plan to increase the sales of computers by developing the inventory to fit the ten topmost-selling brands. In this answer choice, it is analysed that the users mainly prefer less-known brands of personal computers. It implies that the customers purchase those specific brands in which they are comfortable in great numbers. However, it cannot be predicted the number of users who prefer it. Even, it cannot be assured how many users have become sophisticated with their personal computers. Option C, therefore, possesses inherent flaws. However, it does not weaken the argument of the passage. Therefore, option C is the incorrect answer choice and thereby gets eliminated.

Option D

The argument of the passage states the plan to increase the sales of computers by developing the inventory to fit the ten topmost-selling brands. The answer choice D depicts that less well-known brands of personal computers do not provide more profit to the retailer. It is required to give discounts on the prices in order to attract customers. This option talks about the profits of personal computers. The statement does not have any impact on the idea of the passage. It does not say anything about the sale of personal computers. Hence, option D is the incorrect answer since it does not satisfy the argument of the passage. Thus option D gets eliminated.

Option E

The argument of the passage states the plan to increase the sales of computers by developing the inventory to fit the ten topmost-selling brands. This answer choice depicts that one particular leading brand of personal computers is facing a loss in its sales than other less well-known brands. However, it cannot be surely said whether the inventory will include that brand or not. This statement is therefore vague and irrelevant to the context of the passage. It does not say anything about the plan of increasing sales. Hence, option E is the incorrect answer since it does not satisfy the argument of the passage. Thus option E gets eliminated.

“Approximately two hundred brands of personal computers are being manufactured”- is a GMAT critical reasoning topic of the GMAT exam. The topic has been taken from the book “GMAT Official Guide 2021”. This GMAT critical reasoning question comes up with five options and candidates must select the one which is correct. GMAT critical reasoning tests the proficiency of the candidates in analyzing the argument logically and rationally.

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