Holy Personal Computers, Batman!

[maxximilian]

http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20110901PD218.html

Hewlett-Packard (HP) plans to launch a second sales promotion for its 9.7-inch TouchPads in late October in an attempt to clear out inventories of components in the supply chain, according to industry sources.

HP originally released orders for 900,000-1.1 million 9.7-inch TouchPads to Inventec and has taken deliveries of 800,000-900,000 units, said the sources, noting that the shipped TouchPads were nearly all sold out after the vendor slashed the tablet's price to US$99.

In an effort to mend its relationship with component suppliers and channel operators, HP decided to help them clear out inventories, including touch panels, batteries and chassis, equivalent to 100,000-200,000 units of 9.7-inch TouchPads, the sources pointed out.

HP has apparently abandoned its production plan for a 7-inch tablet PC model, with its ODM partner Inventec noting at a recently held investors conference that there will be no more follow-up orders for TouchPads from HP.

That's between 100,000 and 200,000 more in October. If it's still $99 and $149....the race will be on again. I hope to have one before this....

[jdc2000]

Confusion causes HP to hemorrhage customers

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/hardware/c...78?tag=nl.e539

[Train]

Figures, jumped the gun again.

[maxximilian]

Right now there are over 50,000 unhappy people with pending orders at HP for back-order touchpads. HP hasn't even sent out an email to tell people if and when they are getting a pad....and that's after two and a half weeks so far. Maybe time for Leo Apotheker to resign or get fired.

The mighty have fallen................and can't get up.....

[maxximilian]

Finally a light at the end of the tunnel. However....it is a very long tunnel. Just got the email I have been waiting on for close to 3 weeks:

"HP Small and Medium Business Customer,

Thank you for your interest in webOS and the HP TouchPad – the response to our price reduction has been overwhelming – both in terms of volume and in the energy and enthusiasm it has generated in our customers.

It has taken us longer than anticipated to work through the high volume of orders that were received. We apologize for any uncertainty this caused, but we are now in a position to understand our ability to fulfill your order.

Your order will be fulfilled at the discounted price. However, we do not have enough stock to satisfy your order at this time. It will take 6-8 weeks to build enough HP TouchPads to meet our current commitments, during which time your order will then ship from this stock with free ground shipping. You will receive a shipping notification with tracking number once your order has shipped. We apologize that these timelines are longer than indicated on the website at time of purchase.

At the significantly reduced price, the HP TouchPad does not qualify for our standard 30 day return policy and is not returnable.

If this delay is not acceptable, please send an email to [email protected] with your instructions for cancellation within a week. Be sure to include your HP order number and the name and ship-to address on the order. Also please indicate clearly if this is the only order requiring cancellation or if you wish all orders in your name to be canceled. You will receive an automated cancel notification when your order cancellation request has been processed. Please be aware, however, that cancellations cannot be reversed, and our US SMB store has sold out of HP TouchPad and will not make any further available for sale.

We are pleased that we will be able to fulfill your order and look forward to you joining the exciting community of webOS!

Sincerely,
Your HP Small and Medium Business Team
www.hp.com/go/touchpadFAQ"

So....I got one. But by the time I get it, I will have forgotten I bough it....LOL

[fink]

and look forward to you joining the exciting community of webOS!

I wonder what exactly that means. I thought they were dropping development of webOS so why would they talk or care about the "community"? It seems like they still haven't figured out what they're doing.

[jdc2000]

HP may sell off the webOS to someone else. I don't thinnk even they know what they will do as yet. Its not like they have an effective comunication system.

[maxximilian]

Agreed. There is considerable double-talk.....or no talk at all coming out of HP.

In addition to the touchpad email, I also got the HP-SMB newsletter that linked to this:

http://h30458.www3.hp.com/us/us/smb/...11&mrm=1-4BVUP

There is something of an explanation about WebOS there....

[maxximilian]

HP laying off 500 employees....

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/btl/hp-con...division/58413

Summary: HP says it will cut jobs in the webOS division, as reports suggest it could be over 500 employees facing the chop. Could webOS still be spun-off or sold-off somewhere?

[maxximilian]

Apotheker might be looking for a new job soon. HP board may dump him as CEO, Can't say I am surprised...

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-0...ar-as-ceo.html

Hewlett-Packard Co. (HPQ)’s board plans to meet to consider whether to oust Leo Apotheker as chief executive officer after less than 11 months on the job, two people familiar with the matter said.

Under a scenario being considered, Hewlett-Packard’s directors may appoint former EBay Inc. (EBAY) CEO Meg Whitman as his successor, possibly on an interim basis, said one of the people, who asked not to be named because the plans aren’t public.

[jdc2000]

Carly Fiorina, Patricia Dunn, Mark Hurd, and now Leo Apotheker. Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard must be turning in their graves by now.

[Sal_gal]

Carly Fiorina, Patricia Dunn, Mark Hurd, and now Leo Apotheker. Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard must bu turning in their graves by now.

Meg Whitman seems like a good choice. I just want the company to keep selling PCs to consumers. If that's not doable, then I can see a company like ASUS taking over that market.

[maxximilian]

If Apotheker is out, I wouldn't count out the possibility that HP will go back on the whole idea of ditching the PC division. They could end up right back where this whole mess started. After the firesale, the Touchpad is second only to iPad creating a huge user base.

That fat lady hasn't sung yet....

[jdc2000]

Bye Bye Leo:

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/btl/hps-ce...93?tag=nl.e589

[jdc2000]

More info:

http://money.cnn.com/2011/09/22/tech....htm?hpt=hp_c2

http://money.cnn.com/2011/09/22/tech...bin&hpt=hp_bn5