HP Touchpad: One Last Run at Apple iPad
Hewlett-Packard has announced that it will release a limited number of TouchPads, due to increased demand since prices were dropped to $99.
"A limited supply are coming and it will be a few weeks before they are available,” Marc Budgell, public relations manager at HP, said on HP’s “NextBench” blog. “As we know more about how, when, and where TouchPads will be available, we will communicate that here and through e-mail to those who requested notification.”
Budgell said that HP manufactured more TouchPads to meet the new demand, but that they have no plans to build more after this production run.
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He also said that HP has no plans to restrict retail prices, which means that retailers will be allowed to sell at a higher mark-up than the $99 price tag that shot the TouchPad from relative obscurity to the subject of one of this year’s biggest buying frenzies.
“Each retailer will manage their own policy and process regarding pricing and price matching,” Budgell said. “Please contact the local retailer of your choice to see what their current position is.”
The TouchPad fire sale began when HP announced it would discontinue production of the tablets which were the victim of bad reviews and an out-of-reach price tag of $499. Soon after the announcement, many retailers including HP’s website and Best Buy slashed $400 off the price and caused a huge spike in demand for the $99 tablet.
Retailers sold out and many consumers were willing to pay higher prices to sellers on Ebay and Craigslist to get their hands on one. The average price on Ebay was approximately $250 today.
Getting a $99 TouchPad will surely be just as difficult next time around as it was before.
In response to a question regarding what HP plans to do for disappointed customers who will not be able to get a TouchPad, Budgell said, “All those who requested notification have received a one-time exclusive offer along with their email as our thanks for their patience and loyalty throughout this situation.”
No details were provided about what the “exclusive offer” might be.
