HP to Spin Off PC Business

[easysurfer]

Looks like they are trying to focus more on technology than PCs.

Breaking News: HP To Spin Off PC Business | GeekITDown Blog

Remember back in statistics classes, HP meant scientific.

 

[W2R]

I had an HP desktop computer about 10 years ago and wasn't too impressed - - haven't bought one since.

On the other hand, I will never forget the scientific calculator of my dreams, the HP41CX. That calculator was like my right hand back in 1984 and I'll never like another calculator more. I still use an HP scientific calculator, though. They are a lot cheaper these days.

 

[easysurfer]

Of course, with HP leaving the business, that also means what was Compaq is going too. Compaq was a history maker in computers being one of the truly IBM compatibles.

As for HP calculators, I used to consider them the fancy ones, like in universities. The scientific calculators I had were Texas Instruments. A TI-30, then later a programable TI-57 (remember writing some simle programs for this one).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TI-57

 

[ERD50]

Well, they spun off their Test & Measurement business back in 1999 (became Agilent). That was the original focus of Mr Hewlett & Mr Packard. I always thought that the T&M should have kept the HP name.

-ERD50

 

[Ronnieboy]

I've had a few HP desktop computers (no replacement due to mechanical problems) just upgrades, etc.
Never had a problem with 'em

 

[eytonxav]

PCs have been a commodity business for a very long time and a tough one at that. Apple has really won the profitability battle thru its differentiation and has never really been impacted by the highly competitive PC market, except in the corporate market segment. As to HP, its sad to see all the companies that have come and gone into what is now HP (Digital Equip, Tandem Computers, Compaq, EDS), and I for one miss the good ole days in terms of the former execs I knew in those other companies.

W2R, I still have my HP35 and HP41 and am waiting for antigue status before selling them.

 

[JakeBrake]

I'm so old that I can remember when Hewlett-Packard was well-known and respected for their top-of-the-line electronic test equipment.

Also, HP was unique in that they stated the cost of their equipment in their ads in trade publications.

 

[Lisa99]

It's going to be interesting watching this new strategy unfold.

HP bought Electronic Data Systems in 2009 so they could get more heavily into the applications and services business. EDS competed head to head with IBM for years and in the final years was not doing well...anyone remember the Dick Brown debacle?

So now, HP is jettisoning the consumer side which is what brung them to the dance, to compete head to head with IBM??

Like I said...it's going to be interesting to watch.

 

[IBWino]

W2R,
I'm an engineer and I still use my HP-41CV daily. I've had it for 31 years and I worry about having to replace it some day. I have yet to find another calculator that I think would be half as good.

Well, they spun off their Test & Measurement business back in 1999 (became Agilent). That was the original focus of Mr Hewlett & Mr Packard. I always thought that the T&M should have kept the HP name.

+1

 

[W2R]

W2R,
I'm an engineer and I still use my HP-41CV daily. I've had it for 31 years and I worry about having to replace it some day. I have yet to find another calculator that I think would be half as good.

Couldn't agree more! Mine was unfortunately dropped 15 feet onto a tile floor by our ever-mischievous greenwing macaw back in the 1990's, and broke into a million pieces. I have never had another calculator before or since that was half as good.

 

[harley]

The thing that worries me is with HP out of the PC game, who's going to load up PCs with dozens and dozens of useless programs and other crap that no one would ever buy or install on their own? Dell needs to get on the stick here.

 

[Sandhog]

The thing that worries me is with HP out of the PC game, who's going to load up PCs with dozens and dozens of useless programs and other crap that no one would ever buy or install on their own? Dell needs to get on the stick here.

Microsoft started the tablet PC back in 2001 but it took Apple to bring out iPad to make consumers go to take keen interest since iPad is larger version of iPhone with more function and capacity. Also it's easier on the eyes for old folks unlike me.

I feel PC market is dying out for personal use. Other than use in offices, most folks will use tablet PC or iPad for that matter. I personally will stay with Desktop and Laptop since I need standard keyboard and large screen to make work view in a large font so I don't have to put on or look for the reading glasses.

I have a strong feeling that it's going to be between Google and Apple competing for tablet PC market. Samsung may or may not be a competitor but HP or Dell is not a competitor in the field.

 

[easysurfer]

The thing that worries me is with HP out of the PC game, who's going to load up PCs with dozens and dozens of useless programs and other crap that no one would ever buy or install on their own? Dell needs to get on the stick here.

What? You will won't miss having the free trial of Norton cripple your machine?

 

[easysurfer]

I actually wonder if HP exiting won't lead to bargain basement deals on their HP/Compaq computers. I really don't need the tech support so if stores have upcoming good hardware deals, that may be worth looking into.

 

[FreeAtLast]

The HP decision is being compared with what IBM did a number of years ago, however, IBM never went through with its original plan to break up the company into smaller units.

Instead, IBM hired a new CEO Lou Gerstner who refocused the company on the customer and shed and acquired different business units over time.


The HP thing is much different. They are breaking themselves up. It is exactly what IBM decided not to do.

I think in both cases it was EGO that kept both companies in the PC consumer market place far too long. They both wanted to be market leaders even after the PC market went elsewhere.

 

[devans0]

I am still looking for a software app version of the HP 48SX. RPN is so straightforward and logical. HP lost their bearings when they tried to get into the low end PCs.

 

[Ronstar]

I had an HP desktop computer about 10 years ago and wasn't too impressed - - haven't bought one since.

On the other hand, I will never forget the scientific calculator of my dreams, the HP41CX. That calculator was like my right hand back in 1984 and I'll never like another calculator more. I still use an HP scientific calculator, though. They are a lot cheaper these days.

Excellent calculator! I wish i still had my 41. I went from the 41 to the 48 and then to the hp200lx. Still use my 48. A guy I work with has been using his hp11c since the early 80's. My last 2 work computers were hp laptops. Great machines.

The HP spinoff probably won't affect me much, unless they use their resources to improve their printers.

 

[IBWino]

Couldn't agree more! Mine was unfortunately dropped 15 feet onto a tile floor by our ever-mischievous greenwing macaw back in the 1990's, and broke into a million pieces. I have never had another calculator before or since that was half as good.

I'm not prone to crying, but that would have brought tears to my eyes (right after a passionate outburst of colorful language).

 

[kcowan]

The HP tablet is on sale for $99 now. Blowing out the inventory!

 

[GregLee]

My HP desktop from 2007 is still working just fine -- I'm typing this using it. My previous desktop was also an HP. I don't have any problem with their software, because I immediately replaced it with Linux and free applications. I'm sorry there will be no further HP home computers. However, I didn't care for HP hand calculators, because of the reverse Polish and the priciness.

 

[W2R]

I'm not prone to crying, but that would have brought tears to my eyes (right after a passionate outburst of colorful language).

While I was napping that day our greenwing macaw, Rosy, had walked from her cage over to the sofa where my backpack was (a "no no" in itself). Then she unzipped the zip pocket to my backpack, removed the calculator in its case, unzipped the case, removed the calculator, and carried it up to the top of the very tall perching structure on top of her cage. When I walked in the room, she was still holding it, but when I gasped in horror, she promptly dropped it and started saying "bad bird, bad bird". She knew it was wrong.

Her escapade had also included removing my wallet from the backpack, opening the change purse part, removing all the coins, and lining them up on the carpet. Thank goodness she didn't swallow one. I should not have left her out while napping but she had always been so good.

I admit, I actually did cry! I had a major meltdown that lasted for hours. For the rest of the day, she looked so guilty, and was murmuring to me "it's all right, it's all right".

 

[arebelspy]

The HP tablet is on sale for $99 now. Blowing out the inventory!

I'm so tempted to get one, but the big problem I see is it'll have no support. They're totally killing off the platform.

So that means obviously no future software upgrades from HP, but also no developers making apps and such for it.

What a bummer, cause it had such potential (WebOS vs iOs vs Android).

Will have to debate if it's worth it for the stock install and nothing else.

 

[powerplay]

I'm so tempted to get one, but the big problem I see is it'll have no support. They're totally killing off the platform.

So that means obviously no future software upgrades from HP, but also no developers making apps and such for it.

What a bummer, cause it had such potential (WebOS vs iOs vs Android).

Will have to debate if it's worth it for the stock install and nothing else.

Take a look at this Touchdroid --Android for the HP Touchpad
If it can be made to run Android that would open up alot of potential.

 

[arebelspy]

Take a look at this Touchdroid --Android for the HP Touchpad
If it can be made to run Android that would open up alot of potential.

I'm not a fan of android. I prefer iOS and webOS. Although I haven't tried gingerbread, I'd assuming it's not that different from froyo.

Still, if this becomes available, it'll at least make the thing useful 6 months or a year from now, when the original OS is stale. And by that point you can probably pick up a used one for $50, considering the iPad 3 will be coming out around then, and people will have bought them new for 100. Could be a decent little thing to have around.

Thanks for the link!

 

[Queenie]

Opps so sorry W2R, couldn't help myself! Really, and so sorry is more appropriate. Queenie

While I was napping that day our greenwing macaw, Rosy, had walked from her cage over to the sofa where my backpack was (a "no no" in itself). Then she unzipped the zip pocket to my backpack, removed the calculator in its case, unzipped the case, removed the calculator, and carried it up to the top of the very tall perching structure on top of her cage. When I walked in the room, she was still holding it, but when I gasped in horror, she promptly dropped it and started saying "bad bird, bad bird". She knew it was wrong.

Her escapade had also included removing my wallet from the backpack, opening the change purse part, removing all the coins, and lining them up on the carpet. Thank goodness she didn't swallow one. I should not have left her out while napping but she had always been so good.

I admit, I actually did cry! I had a major meltdown that lasted for hours. For the rest of the day, she looked so guilty, and was murmuring to me "it's all right, it's all right".