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HP to Spin Off PC Business as Sales Stagnate [Updated: Exiting Tablet/Smartphone Hardware Business]

Thursday August 18, 2011 12:48 pm PDT by Eric Slivka
Bloomberg reports that HP is set to announce plans to spin off its PC business in order to focus on cloud-based software and services. The plans come as HP is reportedly looking to acquire enterprise software company Autonomy Corp. for $10 billion.
Hewlett-Packard may announce the plans as early as today, said the people, who asked not to be identified before a statement. The Palo Alto, California-based company is scheduled to report quarterly earnings today after markets close.

Chief Executive Officer Leo Apotheker has said he wants to expand in software and services that help customers deliver computing over the Internet, through the so-called cloud. Hewlett-Packard has been aiming to lessen its dependence on lower-margin PCs, where growth has stalled as consumers flock to tablet-style computers like those made by Apple Inc. (AAPL).
HP has long been a leading PC manufacturer, but has only recently stepped into the mobile market with its acquisition of Palm last year, pushing out several smartphones based on webOS and just last month officially launching its TouchPad tablet. The TouchPad had been regarded as one of the leading potential challengers to the iPad, but sales have reportedly been slow. Today's report does not mention whether HP's mobile efforts will be included in the PC spinoff company or remain with the core HP company.

Meanwhile, PC growth has stagnated or even reversed with weakness in the global economy over the past few years. Apple has, however, been able to maintain strong forward momentum amidst the weak overall market, and has further eaten into PC growth by launching the successful iPad as an alternative to the traditional PC for some customers. Earlier today, research firm DisplaySearch released data showing Apple handily leading the market for mobile PCs when tablets are included.

Update: According to The Wall Street Journal, HP will be exiting the tablet and smartphone hardware business, although it will continue work on webOS and presumably license it out to third-party manufacturers.
As part of Hewlett-Packard's planned spin off of its personal computer business, it will keep the webOS software business but let go of the hardware, meaning H-P is shutting down its tablets business, people familiar with the matter said. H-P's tablet is the TouchPad, an iPad rival that went on sale in July starting at $499. Earlier this month, H-P cut its price 20%.

H-P got webOS when it acquired Palm Inc. in April 2010 for $1.2 billion. H-P may license the webOS software to others, the people added.
Update 2: HP confirms the rumors.
HP also reported that it plans to announce that its board of directors has authorized the exploration of strategic alternatives for its Personal Systems Group (PSG). HP will consider a broad range of options that may include, among others, a full or partial separation of PSG from HP through a spin-off or other transaction.

In addition, HP reported that it plans to announce that it will discontinue operations for webOS devices, specifically the TouchPad and webOS phones. HP will continue to explore options to optimize the value of webOS software going forward.


Tag: bloomberg.com
[ 364 comments ]


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Avatar
Morod
97 months ago
Sad to see. HP was a fine company at one time....
Rating: 18 Votes
Avatar
chrmjenkins
97 months ago
Apple wants palm. HP buys palm. Apple buys HP. Apple takes over the world.



In reality, I can't imagine who would want HP's PC business, although this is definitely a step to being bought.

But, I'm glad HP is retaining their software division since their new webOS is doing so well :rolleyes:
Rating: 13 Votes
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mmcc
97 months ago
Exiting the tablet business already? And they wonder why nobody bought the TouchPad? They seemed so committed. :p

They were waaaay too late to the tablet party to expect instant success.
Rating: 11 Votes
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maflynn
97 months ago
I am completely dumbfounded that HP would abandon webos so soon after purchasing palm. If I were an investor, I would be down right irate for squandering corporate resources and focus.

This spells the doom of the pre and tablet, nobody in their mind would want to spend money on a dead end product with no future. What few developers they have will flee the platform
Rating: 11 Votes
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maflynn
97 months ago
I guess the billions they spent buying compaq was money well invested then :rolleyes:

IBM was very successful in spinning of their pc business and focusing on services, so I guess why not HP.
Rating: 10 Votes
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dukeblue91
97 months ago
And the 50 or so people that bought a TouchPad are extending their middle finger and are saying thank you or something like that. :D
Rating: 10 Votes
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AAPLaday
97 months ago
I wish HP never got their hands on WebOS. I knew they wouldn't have a clue how to make it work! :mad:
Rating: 10 Votes
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Naimfan
97 months ago
Wow.

Knowing several people who work for HP, this is a surprise, but it makes sense--there's little margin and thus little profit in making PCs. I wonder what entity will agree to acquire the division--and at what price?

And the iPhone/iPad/iOS earthquake continues . . .
Rating: 9 Votes
Avatar
Mr. Gates
97 months ago

Apple wants palm. HP buys palm. Apple buys HP. Apple takes over the world.

Image (http://i.imgur.com/Sn2nt.jpg)

In reality, I can't imagine who would want HP's PC business, although this is definitely a step to being bought.

But, I'm glad HP is retaining their software division since their new webOS is doing so well :rolleyes:


More like

Rating: 9 Votes
Avatar
DavidLeblond
97 months ago
How about their ink/toner cartridge business? (the expensive things they sell to go along with their cheap, crap printers.)

EDIT: I'm fully aware that "crap printer" is a redundant statement.
Rating: 9 Votes

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