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-...ts-pc-business

Other Articles:
http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/18/h...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

[HotelUser]

Update: http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/18/h...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/l...n-sale-for-99/

That is seriously unfair.

[HotelUser]

http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/19/l...n-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

[triston220]

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