Posted on 09/03/2011 9:06:06 PM PDT by bigbob
HP Inc. will maintain the clearance pricing of the next batch of TouchPad tablet devices according to a new report.
The New York Times this week said HP the limited supply of TouchPad will be available by the end of Oct. at $99 for the 16GB SKU and $149 for the 32GB SKU.
The Palo Alto, CA-based company said this week it will manufacture a limited quantity of TouchPad tablets in the fiscal fourth quarter of 2011, which ends Oct. 31, to meet demand.
HP previously said it would end the manufacture of webOS devices in the fourth quarter.
In addition, HP told CNET this week that current TouchPad owners will receive a new software update that will add new functionality to the hardware.
Customers who signed up for an email request notification via HP.com will be updated when availability specifics are available.
HP is considering a spinoff of the Personal Systems Group, which has held as the No. 1 PC business against low net profits.
HP Aug. 19 price cut the TouchPad 16GB SKU to $99.99 from $499.99 and the 32GB SKU to $149.99 from $599.99.
The discount prompted strong consumer demand at nationwide retailers, including Best Buy Co. Inc., Barnes & Noble Inc., and Wal-Mart Stores Inc., all of which have sold out of the device.
HP released the TouchPad tablet series in July in a Wi-Fi 16GB SKU and 32GB SKUs to compete against Apple Inc.’s iPad which has dominated the tablet market since launch in 2010.
Both include a 1.2Ghz Qualcomm Snapdragon Dual-Core CPU, 1GB RAM, and the webOS operating system in a 1.6 lb. device.
Despite powerful specs, the TouchPad held tepid demand at launch.
Current competitors in the tablet space include Acer Inc.’s Iconia and Transformer SKUs, Samsung Group’s Galaxy Tab, and Motorola Mobility Inc.’s XOOM
Yes, they will lose money on the initial sale, but will make it up in royalties for selling apps and accessories. There are rumors the playbook will drop the price on theirs and also the new tablet by amazon will come out with a lower price. I got one for the $150 and absolutely love it. I just cant see the point of buying an Ipad for 500 bucks and this price drop will fuel competition. Its not a terrible move on HP’s part. It bought all kinds of publicity and their platform webos will continue to live another day.
bump
LOL- it was a bidding war — I logged on to eBay on my phone and saw it had one minute to go, it was at 216.00, I think I bid back and forth 3 times. Shipping was $10.00, but the guy lived by my work, so $225.00 out the door ;). I still can’t believe how cheap it was compared to the other 32gb’s that were listed.
Pretty much, I have been in this situation. It cost us less to manufacture another round of obsolete devices and fulfill our obligations to the supply chain than to break the contracts. Two of our largest customers were liquidated back to back and every reseller east of the Mississippi was at the auction so sales of new hardware just ceased entirely several months.
Blew them out bundled with our certification training materials and they were gone in no time.
I’ll give ya $150.00 for it, then you can go buy an HP and we will both be happy.
Your lucky, the price gouging for this thing is insane. Ive seen people pay over 300 bucks for the 16gb one..that is crazy. I’d never spend that much money on something I have never seen before. I think once the hype dies down a little bit it will be easier to find one. Hopefully when HP releases their next batch they will give it to those who signed up for the email list first, otherwise if they just put it on their site it will crash the servers within minutes
Just because I dont like it does not me i will sell it for cheap.
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