Technology retailers slash Touchpad tablet prices in bid to empty HP inventory
Best Buy in the US is reportedly selling the HP Touchpad for just $99 as the retailer gets rid of its inventory of the soon-to-be-defunct tablet.
Best Buy in the US is reportedly selling the HP Touchpad for just $99 as the retailer gets rid of its inventory of the soon-to-be-defunct tablet.
In Brisbane, the Sydney morning Herald reported that one retailer sold 6,000 units in an hour.
Last week, HP announced it was to ditch its Touchpad tablet range and seek a buyer for its PC division, while confirming its acquisition of UK software company Autonomy for £7.1bn.
HP said it will examine strategic alternatives for its PC business over a 12- to 18-month period, which could lead to the division being separated, spun-off or sold.
Unfortunately for UK people trying to get their hands on a TouchPad, Best Buy UK is still selling it for £429.
However, in an article from Computer Weekly's sister title MicroScope, Salman Chaudhry of analyst firm Context said distribution sources had told him the channel may be prepared to slash prices to shift stocks of Touchpads, rather than force HP to accept returns.
HP said Touchpad owners can look forward to an over-the-air update that will enhance the platform and add functionality and a growing applications catalogue.
CW comment
In theory, users may be able to run an operating system like Android on top of webOS, which would extend the life of the device and enable people to access the Android marketplace apps. A cheap Touchpad is not a bad alternative to Kindle, and make a decent digital picture frame, if nothing else.
