HP to spin off its PC business?

[xxMATTGxx]

Hewlett-Packard, the single biggest PC maker in the world, could be getting ready to spin off its PC side of the business. Bloomberg reports via unnamed sources that the company could announced its decision to get rid of its PC division as early as today as part of its quarterly financial announcement. The same article also claims that HP is planning to acquire the UK based company Autonomy Corp. for $10 billion. The company creates software for database search efforts. An HP spokesperson would not comment on Bloomberg's announcement.

If true, HP's decision could send shock waves in the entire PC business. The company still leads in PC sales, followed closely by Dell, so a move to spin off its PC business would be a massive shift in the industry. HP actually created what is considered the first personal computer, the Hewlett-Packard 9100A, way back in 1968 for $5,000. Later, Steve Wozniak offered HP the chance to purchase his design for what turned out to be the Apple 1 PC (he worked at HP at the time) but HP turned him down.

HP released PCs as well as a successful series of printers for much of the rest of the 20th century and in 2001 it acquired another large PC maker, Compaq. It later acquired the gaming PC maker Voodoo, but that move turned out to be unsuccessful. Most recently, HP acquired the Palm smartphone maker and its WebOS operating system. The company has been heavily pushing its HP TouchPad tablet since launching it in July, but there are reports that sales of the tablet have been poor so far.

Source: http://www.neowin.net/news/rumor-hp-to-spin-off-its-pc-business

Other Articles:
http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/18/hp-will-discontinue-operations-for-webos-devices/

Wasn't really expecting to hear this sort of news this evening.

[HotelUser]

Palm & WebOS tablets - saw this coming a mile away
PCs - huh? What did we miss here.

[Chippiewill]

But I love their laptops :(

[peteyt]

Eh. If their tablets aren't making much sales then why would they get rid of the main things that are?

[HotelUser]

Eh. If their tablets aren't making much sales then why would they get rid of the main things that are?

That's what I was wondering, I'm not really sure. Perhaps since they are allegedly axing webOS and (if) they're stepping out of PC sales it might mean they will focus on Windows tablets or even Android tablets. I would like to see that game move because it would mean there'd be a power horse rolling out tablets. Good for cheaper prices and inciting competition :P

[HotelUser]

Update: http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/18/hp-will-discontinue-operations-for-webos-devices/


Update: HP CEO Leo Apotheker confirmed on the company's earnings call late this afternoon that the Autonomy acquisition is considerably further along than just a "possible offer," and that it's expected to be completed by the end of 2011. He also made it clear that any possible spin-off of the PC business won't happen soon, and said that the company will take 12 to 18 months to consider its options, further adding that he is "taking ownership" of all of these decisions. As for webOS, Apotheker expectedly offered few specifics, but suggested that just about all options, including licensing, remain on the table.

Seems to be in the Windows 8 ballpark in terms of date does it?

[AgnesIO]

http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/19/let-the-liquidation-begin-hps-16gb-touchpad-on-sale-for-99/

That is seriously unfair.

[HotelUser]

http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/19/let-the-liquidation-begin-hps-16gb-touchpad-on-sale-for-99/

That is seriously unfair.

I bought one. I know there's some people over here buying them in bulk, then turning around and selling them on eBay in doing so making thousands of dollars in some cases.

[AgnesIO]

I bought one. I know there's some people over here buying them in bulk, then turning around and selling them on eBay in doing so making thousands of dollars in some cases.

Would be easy money, gutted the only discount I can find so far is not worth it :P

[triston220]

Searching "HP Touchpad" into Google shopping returns no results. :(

[AgnesIO]

Searching "HP Touchpad" into Google shopping returns no results. :(

Price drops in Aussie and Ireland - sounds hopeful.

[triston220]

Price drops in Aussie and Ireland - sounds hopeful.

There's rumors of a UK price drop now too.

www.engadget.com/2011/08/22/hp-touchpad-tops-amazon-us-sales-rumored-for-uk-price-drop/

[Johno]

fingers crossed, got my eyes on amazon.

[triston220]

fingers crossed, got my eyes on amazon.

Same here. :D

---------- Post added 22-08-2011 at 04:25 PM ----------

HP are no longer selling the touchpad online in the UK.

[triston220]

Dixons have confirmed a price cut for later today. http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/369457/hp-touchpad-slashed-to-89-in-uk

[AgnesIO]

Dixons have confirmed a price cut for later today. http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/369457/hp-touchpad-slashed-to-89-in-uk

Wish comet would make an announcement!

[Johno]

Since Dixons have announced, I'm keeping my eyes peeled across all the DSG websites and Amazon.

[GommeInc]

Hopefully they do not touch their PC desktop/laptop division. Big fan here <3 Just need a 2.1/5.1 speaker system and webcam to complete my HP collection :P

I think it was HotelUser who mentioned this, or indeed hinted this - Windows 8 tablets maybe? If Windows 8 works well HP could just chuck that on some touchpads.

[HotelUser]

It followed this pattern here:

1. HP announced the firesale price
2. Users everywhere flocked onto the internet retailers trying to get one
3. Retailer websites removed product pages for the Touchpad or disabled the "buy now" button from some periods but kept putting it back up then taking it down
4. Everyone's websites started crashing and failing to load.

It is possible you will snag one online. HOWEVER I am telling you right now you have a 100% better chance at getting one of these if you:
A) buy multiple online from DIFFERENT sources (there were problems here where employees were taking them for themselves, and retailers sending merchandise back to HP then cancelling online orders)
B) TRY TO BUY ONE BY PHYSICALLY GOING TO THE STORE YOURSELF. GO TO TEN STORES. LOOK EVERYWHERE. BUY NOW FROM DIXONS AT FULL PRICE THEN LATER REQUEST A PRICE FIX.

p.s. people were camping out infront of stores and going as soon as they open just like a boxing day sale. If you want to be one of the lucky few who get one you might want to do this with a few friends and each take different stores.

[Chris]

Okay I didn't even stand a chance on the dixons website, they have been wiped from my basket. :'(

[triston220]

The TouchPad is now for sale at Dixons.

[Markeh]

Going to run to Mansfield's PC World/Currys superstore tomorrow, see if I can get a 16GB cheap.

[Markeh]

hate to double post, but

No DSG site has it in stock, anywhere within the East Midlands.

Comet, Tesco, Argos all sell the TouchPad but have not reduced it. I am gonna make enquiries once I'm off the phone to DSG (thought I'd try the phone lines)

[HotelUser]

hate to double post, but

No DSG site has it in stock, anywhere within the East Midlands.

Comet, Tesco, Argos all sell the TouchPad but have not reduced it. I am gonna make enquiries once I'm off the phone to DSG (thought I'd try the phone lines)

Do you have lots of credit? HP released a memo to all retailers here requesting they adhere to a 60 day return and price fixing policy for all consumers whom purchased a TouchPad. Chances are if you buy one from each of the retailers you've listed now, later on you'll be able to request a price fix and you'll get your (practically) free tablet. For the ones who don't price fix just return them within the 14 or 31 days respectively.

[Markeh]

If I could afford the original price I'd buy an iPad to be honest.

BTW, there are only 2 stores that DSG have stock in right now, Truro and Portsmouth, was just told on the phone.

EDIT: Best Buy UK are out in store and online.

[triston220]

Once you've made your enquiries tell us the result please. :)

[Markeh]

Read up 4 posts for the results of the enquiries. Carphone Warehouse prices are now live but you have to pay online, I have the money in cash.

[AgnesIO]

Still got two reserved at Comet, may have got them for CPW though. We can only hope :P

Hoping Comet reduce for opening tomorrow..

[.x.miss.angel.x]

My dad was buying one on Dixons at around half 6, after he put in his creditcard details it crashed so we are waiting for customer service to get back to us. We are now on the look out for other deals.... Good luck everybody! I have a feeling comet and otherplaces will drop prices tomorrow, just hoping we get one!!

[AgnesIO]

My dad was buying one on Dixons at around half 6, after he put in his creditcard details it crashed so we are waiting for customer service to get back to us. We are now on the look out for other deals.... Good luck everybody! I have a feeling comet and otherplaces will drop prices tomorrow, just hoping we get one!!

Already dropped at Comet - instore tomorrow too!

[.x.miss.angel.x]

comet is packed, super busy, Super funny though both my dad and I are sat there staring at both our computers waiting for us to get into the website!

[AgnesIO]

comet is packed, super busy, Super funny though both my dad and I are sat there staring at both our computers waiting for us to get into the website!

Did you not manage to reserve any??

[.x.miss.angel.x]

Did you not manage to reserve any??

Getting there, my computer has got to the basket, closest yet :L

[RyRy]

I've placed my order at Comet, hoping it gets confirmed though I've already received the order place email. :3

[Chris]

I tried comet but when I went to the checkout it came up with an error page. :(

[.x.miss.angel.x]

I think it has sold out on comet, i got to delivery, and it says it can't deliever to my address and crashed when i tried to get it instore.

--
all three stores nearest to me have also sold out. Gonna keep checking on amazon, play, argos ect.

[Johno]

never managed to get one, very annoyed :( kept getting kicked out of all the sites. ah well.

[RyRy]

Ordered at Comet, got my confirmation, getting it sent out on the 5th September. BOOM.

[.x.miss.angel.x]

I had no luck whatsoever, but oh well! Well done to all who got one or two :L Although there has been rumors of misco selling them full price on ebay, and other companys trying that aswell to make a quick buck, and also of people buying from websites who had not reduced the price, then when the price was dropped they could not get refunded the difference... So im sure some people are worse off because of greed.

[RyRy]

Argos aren't lowering the price, Play.com have no plans of lowering it AFAIK, PC World/Currys are supposed to be getting more stock in soon and Comet is getting more stock in before 5th September however it's unclear as to whether they'll be selling these online as they already have quite a couple of orders to fulfill. This ain't over yet though, Amazon still have a fair few to ship.

[AgnesIO]

Argos aren't lowering the price, Play.com have no plans of lowering it AFAIK, PC World/Currys are supposed to be getting more stock in soon and Comet is getting more stock in before 5th September however it's unclear as to whether they'll be selling these online as they already have quite a couple of orders to fulfill. This ain't over yet though, Amazon still have a fair few to ship.

Play said they would be lowering the prices earlier according to members of overclockers uk

[RyRy]

Play said they would be lowering the prices earlier according to members of overclockers uk

Like I said, as far as I know!