Holy Personal Computers, Batman!

[maxximilian]

HP getting out of the PC business? What next....Ford going stop making cars?

I've had 3 HP computers in the past 12 years...and all still running. Had no complaints (after I ripped out all the proprietary software, anyway). Think I might miss them....

[Train]

My take, Greedy folks not satisfied with the profit they are making and want to rip folks off for more than they make on computers.

Plus XP stayed around for 10 years so folks did not need new computers.

[maxximilian]

Oh....I'm sure their bean-counters came up with the numbers that showed it was good for the bottom line, but still....HP throwing in the towel on PCs is still quite the shocker.

[Train]

True!

But there are some outfits like I buy Power, just to name one, is taking the game away.

[jdc2000]

This is not that much of a surprise considering the issues that HP's management has had over the last decade. Good news for Dell and other computer makers though.

[Train]

Have a read.
http://xfinity.comcast.net/articles/...ransformation/

[jdc2000]

I don't see them succeeding with their current plan.

[maxximilian]

The tablet and WebOS certainly failed....but I had high hopes that they would invest the time and money to develop WebOS into a Windows competitor in a way that Android was supposed to do and also didn't follow through. Other PC manufacturers benefit now, but I think MS does in the long run too. Now details are scant, but if they spin-off PC and WebOS together....to a company that wants to develop it...it might be a good thing long term.

Making and selling PCs without paying a license fee to MS for windows has to be worth something? Another Apple business model where hardware and software are integrated?

[maxximilian]

...and by chance, just stumbled across this from Slash Gear

Now that webOS devices will be discontinued what are webOS developers to do? Well, they could become developers for the Windows Phone platform and receive a free handset while they’re at it. Only a day after the HP announcement, Microsoft is already moving in on webOS developers, pledging that they’ll provide all the tools they need to succeed. Senior Director of Windows Phone 7 Brandon Watson has posted a message via Twitter pledging to offer free phones, developer tools, and training to webOS developers that make the switch to the Windows Phone platform. The tweet reads: “To Any Published WebOS Devs: We’ll give you what you need to be successful on #WindowsPhone, incl.free phones, dev tools, and training, etc.”

Although HP has made it clear that they are “not walking away from webOS” and that they are simply discontinuing the hardware, the future of webOS remains murky. HP may be exploring options to license the platform or to sell it off entirely.

http://www.slashgear.com/microsoft-l...ones-19173199/

[maxximilian]

More breaking news. It's a fire sale on the Touchpad.....$99

http://www.pcworld.com/businesscente...o_pass_up.html

If the US price drops too.....I'm getting one. Just as a collector's item.

[Dude111]

My take, Greedy folks not satisfied with the profit they are making and want to rip folks off for more than they make on computers.

That what it seems like

[fink]

a fire sale on the Touchpad

Great Price!.. unfortunately I've checked many places around Toronto and other online stores and all are currently sold out.

[maxximilian]

Yeah....same here. Everyone, including the HP site, is listing the thing as out of stock. Best Buy has removed their Touchpad listing entirely. The rumor mill says the websites are doing this while they prepare to announce the new price and brace for heavy traffic. Another rumor says that places like Best Buy will not even sell the things online at the new price....but walk-in only. Rumors are flying everywhere, but the HP site does list the price at $99....so the fire sale is real. Just a matter of actually getting one.

[fink]

I did walk in to Best Buy and Futureshop and they had none. The salesperson suggested that many were being bought in bulk to be resold on ebay etc at a higher price.. like 150 dollars.. still cheap but enough for the middleman to make a profit.

The Canadian HP distributor still has it listed on it's sales page but when I tried to place an order it asked me to call them.. unfortunately they aren't open for business on weekends.

[maxximilian]

I would really like to snag one....but unless I am sure to get one, I'm not going to hit the pavement and go door-to-door, just yet. My local Best Buy has had a busy signal for the last half hour when I try to call. Don't know if that is related or not.